Marlen Haushofer is, alongside Ingeborg Bachmann and Thomas Bernhard, one of the greatest Austrian writers of her generation. She is most widely known for her bestselling dystopian novel 'Die Wand' (The Wall).

Participate in this international conference, situating Marlen Haushofer’s work within the historical contexts of the post-war period and the Cold War, as well as within the cultural contexts of Austrian literature in particular and dystopian fiction in general.

Participation is free, but advance online booking is essential. More info & full programme can be found here.

Marlen Haushofer’s dystopian novel 'Die Wand' has reached a wide and varied audience since its publication in 1963: far from being restricted to an academic readership, it has become both a cult book and a modern classic. Despite having written an international bestseller, Marlen Haushofer remains a relatively undiscovered figure and presence within her generation of Austrian writers. In this she is comparable to Ilse Aichinger and Gerhard Fritsch, and in marked contrast to Ingeborg Bachmann and Thomas Bernhard.

This conference, originally timed to mark the 100th anniversary of Haushofer’s birth and the 50th of her death, is broadly conceived. It will seek to situate her work within the historical contexts of the post-war period and the Cold War, as well as within the cultural contexts of Austrian literature in particular and dystopian fiction in general.

Hosted by the Ingeborg Bachmann Centre for Austrian Literature & Culture at the Institute of Modern Languages Research