Der Atem

"The Breath" is at the center of Bernhard's autobiography: Here, what makes his writing project unique, fascinating, and boundary-crossing to this day comes together—the juxtaposition of deepest despair and creative power. A severe pleurisy abruptly pulls the young man out of his apprenticeship; facing death, he must go to the hospital. However, the death room to which he is relegated turns out to be a turning point: Thomas Bernhard chooses life—and he decides to become a writer himself after the death of his grandfather. For this journey from the brink of death to the saving act of self-creation, Lukas Kummer employs a contrasting and compelling imagery.