Profiling hundreds of titles and authors from 1945 to today, this reference provides a fascinating portal into the styles, trends, and genres of the world's literatures. Arranged by region, country, and language, entries illuminate the fiction of individual nations and cultures, while concise biographies sketch the careers of noteworthy authors.
Arno Schmidt, a notable twentieth-century writer, saw his centenary largely overlooked in the U.S. and England, disappointing literary enthusiasts. To commemorate him, an event was held on January 18, his birthday, featuring discussions that introduced his life and works. This fictional colloquy aimed to capture Schmidt's unique spirit and celebrate his contributions to literature, highlighting the significance of his writing and the need for greater recognition.
Exploring the evolution of Salome's narrative, this novel delves into the art of storytelling and its transformation through time, culminating in Oscar Wilde's play and Richard Strauss's opera. It examines the processes of memory, translation, and textual authority, highlighting how stories are shaped by their tellers. Themes of passion—literary, romantic, and erotic—intertwine throughout, offering a rich reflection on the nature of storytelling itself.