This was the only image he retained of his early childhood, and he carried it with him throughout his life. “So now here Egger stood, gazing at the mountains in wonder.
He is first introduced to us in 1902 as a small child, orphaned on the death of his mother, who is sent to live on a remote farm in the beautiful but harsh Austrian alps with his abusive uncle, the wonderfully named Hubert Kranzstocker, and his family. The book centres on Andreas Egger, a man of few words, who is not inclined towards an excess of introspection. I read A Whole Life to review in time for German Literature Month, hosted annually by Lizzy’s Literary Life and Caroline at Beauty is a Sleeping Cat (week 1 focuses on books from, or set in, Austria), as well as Novellas in November, co-hosted by Cathy at 746Books and Bookish Beck (this week focuses on contemporary novellas). Interesting titbit: author Robert Seethaler is also a sometime actor who has appeared on TV as well as on the big screen, notably playing a small role in legendary director Paolo Sorrentino’s film Youth. Published in English translation in 2015, it was shortlisted for the International Booker 2016. Translated from German by Charlotte CollinsĪ Whole Life is an Austrian novella, 149 pages long in my Picador paperback, which has been a quiet international bestseller.
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