Die kurze Geschichte der deutschen Literatur

Only from 1750 onwards, long after the classical periods of Italian, Spanish, or French literature, do works emerge in Germany that are considered part of world literature: the literature of the classical-romantic era. In this book, Heinz Schlaffer explores the reasons for the delay and the brief duration of this fortunate constellation. Thought and style intertwine in this provocative literary history, which spans from the Middle Ages to the present, prompting experts to reflect on suppressed questions, while also encouraging enthusiasts to engage anew with the idiosyncratic and almost forgotten achievements of German literature. This book is primarily written for them.