‘Amras’ by Thomas Bernhard (Review)

German Literature Month is always a great opportunity to catch up with old friends, and one writer I usually try to make time for in November is the King of GLM himself, Thomas Bernhard. Having posted on fourteen of his books previously, I’m starting to hunt around for some of his slighter, or earlier, works, and this time around, I’m looking at a short book from very early in his career. Let’s take another trip to Austria, then, to spend some time with two brothers getting away from it all – even if the accommodation leaves something to be desired… ***** Bernhard’s not exactly known for showing a sunny disposition in his writing, but there’s always the chance that the next one will be different. Maybe his early novella, Amras, will be a happier affair? Let’s take a look at the first sentence: Nach dem Selbstmord unserer Eltern waren wir zweieinhalb Monate in dem Turm eingesperrt, in dem Wahrzeichen unseres Vorortes Amras, das nur durch den großen, in südlicher Richtung hinauf an das…

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