Somehow during German literature month, in addition to my plans to read Effi Briest, The Silent Angel, Visitation, The Judge and his Hangman and Old Masters, I have challenged Nicole to a shared reading of Elective Affinities, which seems proper to post about as part of German lit-month. I am also going to read at least one of Kleist’s brilliant short stories again to respond to the call for a worldwide reading on 21 November.
The international literature festival berlin (ilb) and the German Heinrich von Kleist Society are calling for cultural institutions, schools, radio stations and anyone who is interested to organise a worldwide reading of the works of the German author Heinrich von Kleist on 21 November 2011, the 200th anniversary of his death.
The 200th anniversary of Kleist’s death on 21 November 2011 is an occasion to discuss the relationship between crisis, critique and reform ideas then and today. However, the 21st of November is also the day on which tribute should be paid to Kleist’s life, how he died and his works. In his honour, excerpts from the letters and works of Heinrich von Kleist should be read on the anniversary of his death.
Fortunately I have a few days off and a business trip down under, so should have reading time to spare.
Time's Flow Stemmed 
You may like to know that in 1956 Beckett told Barney Rosset: “”I read [Effi Briest] for the fourth time the other day with the same old tears in the same old places”.
I’ve been reading around Effi Briest and am looking forward to getting started. Knowing it was one of Beckett’s favourites enhances my sense of anticipation. Thanks.
I never knew Beckett had a special relation to “Effi Briest”, very strange … Looking forward to reading your review.
Thanks, Sigrun, and your reviews too of some great choices. I am keen to read Haushofer and Bachmann.
Got a kick out of The Judge and His Hangman earlier this year. May read a Bernhard for German Lit Month myself. As usual, I like how you think!
Thanks, Richard. Inadvertently I ordered a large print edition of The Judge and His Hangman, so will not be travelling with that book, but I am looking forward to my first Durrenmatt. How can I resist a writer described as a cross between Jose Luis Borges and Hegel?
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~gjdemko/german.htm
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nice see you reading a bernhard for german lit month ,all the best stu
Thanks, stu, he is one of those authors I have circled around but never dived into deeply enough.
read any fontane you can get your hands on, my special favourite is Der Stechlin…
Thanks, there are six or so of Fontane novels in English translation, including Der Stechlin, so I look forward to this discovery.
Ooh, what Kleist will you be reading? Yummy.
I would hardly call my today’s post on Elective Affinities substantive, but tomorrow’s will be. I really enjoyed this one; I’m so glad you suggested it. Looking forward to your posts as well!
I’ll most likely be rereading some short stories, Michael Koolhaas and Earthquake in Chile.