Lieber aufgeregt als abgeklärt

Eva Menasse's essays and speeches allow us to rediscover this author's temperament and irrepressible desire to formulate: in lovingly malicious long-term observations about Germans and Austrians, in committed political interventions, but also in passionate confessions to favorite authors such as Richard Yates, Alice Munro and Ulrich Becher. Particular attention is paid to the public role of the writer, a field in which, as is well known in Germany, one can only do everything wrong. The trenchant and elegant texts of the Heinrich Böll Prizewinner of the Year 2014 take a stand, they are a strong plea against tepidity - and a pleasure to read.