Making German Jewish Literature Anew: Authorship, Memory, and Place

Katja Garloff's book, Making German Jewish Literature Anew, explores the emergence of a new Jewish literature in Germany and Austria from 1990 to the present, focusing on the founding gestures of performing authorship, remaking memory, and claiming places. It offers fresh interpretations of second- and third-generation authors and reflects on what marks a text as Jewish.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Katja Garloff's groundbreaking work, "Making German Jewish Literature Anew," delves into the emergence of a vibrant new Jewish literature in Germany and Austria from 1990 to the present. This literary renaissance is fueled by the rise of a generation of authors who proudly identify as both German and Jewish, often holding additional affiliations with diverse places such as France, Russia, and Israel. This unique constellation presents a remarkable opportunity to explore the nascent roots of diasporic literature.

The book is organized around a series of pivotal gestures: performing authorship, reimagining memory, and claiming spaces. Garloff argues that these founding gestures are literary strategies that redefine the potential for a German Jewish literature, decades after the Holocaust. Through meticulous analysis, Garloff offers fresh perspectives on second-generation authors like Maxim Biller, Doron Rabinovici, and Barbara Honigmann, as well as on third-generation writers, many of whom hail from Eastern European and mixed-religion backgrounds. Prominent figures in this latter group include Benjamin Stein, Lena Gorelik, and Katja Petrowskaja.

Throughout the book, Garloff engages in a thoughtful exploration of what precisely constitutes a text as Jewish. She examines the multifaceted factors that shape a text's identity, including the author's background, intended audience, thematic concerns, and stylistic choices. Garloff reflects on established definitions of Jewish literature and challenges them to evolve in response to the evolving landscape of German Jewish writing.

"Making German Jewish Literature Anew" is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of literary studies, shedding light on the rich and diverse tapestry of German Jewish literature. It provides a valuable roadmap for scholars, students, and readers alike, as it fosters a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between identity, culture, and literature. Through its meticulous analysis and innovative approach, this book contributes to the ongoing dialogue about the representation and evolution of Jewish cultures in contemporary times.

Weight: 336g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253063724