The Memoir Genre in German: Nein!
German literature mostly doesn't appreciate literary naval-gazing
If I had a dollar, or Euro rather, for every time a German responded skeptically to hearing that I’m writing a memoir, I’d have enough money to pay for…well, not that much these days due to inflation, but at least enough for a few Berlin döner kebabs. I’ve been in Berlin as a freelancer for five years now. For the past three years, I’ve been transitioning to ‘writer’ in addition to translator. Berlin is known for being a literary city. Nabokov was here, Kafka, Twain, Brecht, Grass. It’s a long, illustrious list.
As I make my way through the perilous landscape of Berlin’s literary scene, learning about the key players and participating in events, symposiums, and attending readings, my eyes have been opened to the error of my Anglo ways. I also have taken advantage of the free consultations offered for budding artists given by the Schreiben und Leben (Writing and Living) literary organization, where the final nail in the …
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