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Against the Grain

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Collecting to the Core — Gegenwartsromane, Contemporary German-Language Novels

Heidi Madden

Anne Doherty

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This document has been made available through Purdue e-Pubs, a service of the Purdue University Libraries. Please contact [email protected] for additional information. Interview — Theodore Pappas from page 46 Collecting to the Core — seconds. That’s why verified, reliable, curated Gegenwartsromane, Contemporary content like that offered by Britannica is only growing in importance in an age of fake news German-Language Novels and misinformation. That’s why an increasing number of companies (and the ministries of ed- by Heidi Madden (Librarian for Western European Studies, Duke University; ucation of countries around the world) want to Germanic Languages and Subject Editor, Resources for College Libraries) partner with Britannica, because they realize the importance of reliable information and the companies that produce it. Column Editor: Anne Doherty (Resources for College Libraries Project Editor, ATG: However, you still do some print CHOICE/ACRL) publishing. We noticed that Britannica’s 250th anniversary collector’s edition — your final yearbook — is a print product. In fact, Column Editor’s Note: The “Collecting popular attention with her book Feuchtgebiete / you are listed as the author. Can you tell us to the Core” column highlights monographic Wetlands (2008), but she is not (yet) considered about that project? works that are essential to the academic li- a core author. Similarly, (b. brary within a particular discipline, inspired 1967) had international success with Gehen, TP: We produce an occasional print by the Resources for College Libraries bib- ging, gegangen / Go, Went, Gone (2015), but product, here and there, but for all intents and liography (online at http://www.rclweb.net). has not (yet) received the volume of critical purposes we’re a 100 percent-digital company In each essay, subject specialists introduce attention that suggests a core author. There are today. Our special one-volume collector’s and explain the classic titles and topics that many metrics for ranking authors to help sift edition of Britannica — the Encyclopaedia continue to remain relevant to the undergrad- through the considerable number of candidates Britannica Anniversary Edition: 250 Years of uate curriculum and library collection. Dis- and some tools for researching authors and Excellence, 1768-2018 — was a print product their critical reception are discussed below. because it was the final edition of the print ciplinary trends may shift, but some classics never go out of style. — AD The third challenge is discovery. What yearbooks that we’ve published since 1938. tools can librarians use to get an overview of It was a pleasure and an honor to edit the final potential works and authors? Catalog search- edition in this hallowed tradition. uilding a core collection of contem- es in Worldcat are not helpful in identifying ATG: As you look into the future, what porary German-language novels, or contemporary novels and catalog records adjustments do you anticipate Encyclopaedia BGegenwartsromane, comes with unique certainly do not denote “this is a core author.” Britannica having to make going forward? challenges. There is a mismatch between a Take, for example, the translation of Arno Do you envision any new services or prod- library’s budget and the huge publication out- Geiger’s novel Der alte König in seinem Exil ucts? Where do you see Encyclopaedia put, so libraries often use core author lists as a / The Old King in His Exile (2011); it is cat- Britannica in the next few years? collection development tool. The term “core” aloged with subjects including Geiger, Arno; is a value judgement and any claims about TP: Britannica is thriving today, with Dementia; Older people — . The the canon are debatable. How can a librarian products sold and used in 88 countries and con- Worldcat search — 21st gain confidence in creating such an author list? tracts with companies and countries on every century — History and criticism can be used This article offers some context unique continent save Antarctica. And we’re moving to find literary histories, but to , together with into the realm of voice-activated games and authoritative literary histo- a well-reasoned, sample core appliances, powered by artificial intelligence. ries, as we know them for author list. As Britannica has proven over 250 years, it’s established periods, have not the medium (print) that made our products One of the first chal- not yet been written for special, but rather our message and manner of lenges in building a col- the contemporary period. producing and delivering reliable, verifiable, lection profile is defining Literary historians struggle expert content. Our methods of publishing a time frame. What period with the tension between may have changed since 1768, but our mission is designated as “contempo- understanding the unfin- hasn’t. rary”? Some might interpret ished, evolving nature of contemporary literature as all a writer’s output and the living writers, others as new and desire to present an author’s emerging authors. The term may oeuvre and its organizing also refer to recently published novels on the principles within intellectual genealogies. market. In terms of building a collection pro- Another problem with literary histories and Interview — Dewland and Mery file, contemporary can also represent novels dictionaries is that critical reception and from page 45 that contextualize our understanding of the appreciation changes over time. The history present, the Gegenwart, and, as the sample list of the Kindlers Literatur Lexikon is a case in below will show, this means that the author 1 taking my dogs out for long walks. I also try to point. Its three editions illustrate the difficulty list may extend back in time. travel abroad as much as possible. Of course, with defining the “canon”: the first edition was even when traveling I seem to be working! The second challenge in collecting contem- seven volumes, the second edition was twenty porary literature is that it represents 25% of the volumes, and the third edition was seventeen ATG: Jason and Yvonne, thank you so publishing market in any given year, which volumes. The third edition of the print Kindler much for taking the time to talk to us. It’s makes it difficult to rightsize a library budget was published in 2009 and actually contains great to see librarians pursuing entrepreneur- for the overall German studies collection. The fewer entries than the second edition because ial efforts like Sidecar Learning. We wish you bestseller list is not useful because both the it focused on a canon wherein entries comply the best of luck. German literary scene and German studies with editors’ criteria for world literature. The JD: Thank you! We hope that your readers programs in the United States favor “serious” Kindler is an essential tool for literary research, will find our platform useful and we can’t wait literature — literature recognized through but the print publication is now ten years old to hear their feedback. prestigious literary prizes — over bestselling and while the online version is updated every YM: Thanks so much for the opportuni- “entertainment,” Unterhaltungsliteratur. For year, it is not expanded with new entries. ty! example, Charlotte Roche (b. 1978) gained continued on page 48

Against the Grain / September 2019 47 one of these author lists is different from the (1950), establishing himself as an important Collecting to the Core next one and the author list speaks to the insti- expressionist. (1886-1951) from page 47 tution that created it as much as the canon. A never returned to Europe, but his novel Der librarian should feel empowered to create their Tod des Vergil / The Death of Virgil (1945) The best resources for identifying au- own list based on the RCL author headings, was published simultaneously in German and thors (and also for understanding the area’s on a Harrassowitz list, or other resources, but English at a key moment of history, right after scope) are two specialized databases usually scale it to their institutions’ research and cur- the war. (1898-1970) only available at PhD-granting institutions: ricular goals. What follows is a sample author wrote the enduring bestseller Im Westen nichts Bibliographie der deutschen Sprach und Lit- list and accompanying narrative for collecting Neues / All Quiet on the Western Front (1929) eraturwissenschaft / Bibliography of German core contemporary German-language novels. and then reemerged with Arc de Triomphe / Linguistics and Literary Studies (BDSL) and Period concepts have a special significance Arch of Triumph (1946), although he never the Kritisches Lexikon zur deutschsprachigen for German and European literature because returned to Germany. (1900- Gegenwartsliteratur / Critical Encyclopedia of the Nazi years, which restricted free artis- 1983) achieved fame in exile with her novel of Contemporary German-language Literature tic expression from 1933-1945 in Germany Das siebte Kreuz / The Seventh Cross (1942) 2-3 (KLG). The BDSL is an index of literary and occupied territories. For Germany, the and returned to communist East in 1947. criticism published from 1957 to the present, immediate post-war period was distinct from Her long writing career and critical attitude covering literature from the medieval to current the turbulent 1960s and the division of Ger- toward attributed to her work’s eras. For the recent past, the BDSL uses the many into the Federal Republic of Germany import beyond German reunification. A full periodization of 1914-1945; 1945-1989; and / Bundesrepublik Deutschland (BRD) and the overview of the literary generation marked by 1990 to the present. BDSL includes hundreds German Democratic Republic (East Germany) emigration and exile is provided by the Deut- of individual author headings under each peri- / Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR) ef- sche Nationalbibliothek / German National od, with over 1,800 author entries for the time fectively created two distinct literary universes Library in the exile collection “Deutsches period from 1990 to the present alone. The from 1949-1990. The period from 1989-90, Exilarchiv 1933-1945.”9 KLG is a bio-bibliography of contemporary defined by the fall of theBerlin Wall and Ger- Many writers born between 1900 and 1930 writers, defined as authors publishing after man reunification, is known asDie Wende and slowly emerged to define German-language 1945 to the present, and provides substantial everything since is simply post-1990. culture after 1945. (1905-1994) bio-bibliographies for 750 authors. A more Because of this history, writers producing had his first success withDie Blendung / Auto- accessible resource for college librarians is work before 1933 still very much mattered in da-Fé (1935) and went on to write a celebrated the open access bibliography of contemporary post-war, post-1945 Europe. To include these three-volume memoir Die Gerettete Zunge German literature published by the Max Kade authors in a contemporary German literature / The Tongue Set Free (1977), Die Fackel Center for Contemporary German Liter- list helps identify new editions, translations, im Ohr. Lebensgeschichte 1921-1931 / The ature and the Olin Library at Washington critical editions, and publications of materials Torch in My Ear (1980), and Das Augenspiel. University in St. Louis. Currently produced previously not available, like letters and archi- Lebensgeschichte 1931-1937 / The Play of by Paul Michael Lützeler and Brian Vetruba, val materials. (1871-1950), the Eyes (1985), winning the Nobel Prize the center has published an issue of the Annual the author of Professor Unrat oder das Ende in 1981. (1906-1996) Bibliography of the Special Contemporary eines Tyrannen / Small Town Tyrant (1904), never achieved fame during his lifetime, but German Literature Collection every year since a book made famous as the 1930 movie Der has since been acclaimed for his power of 1985.4 In 2017, Olin Library purchased 828 Blaue Engel / The Blue Angel, was politically observation and representation of the political volumes of contemporary “serious” German engaged in exile and had planned to return realities of post-war Germany in novels like literature, including contemporary novels. to East Germany in 1950, but died unexpect- Tauben im Gras / Pigeons on the Grass (1951) This bibliography provides a good measure for edly. (1875-1955) rose to and Das Treibhaus / The Hothouse (1953). what a comprehensive budget would look like, fame with the novels Buddenbrooks: Verfall ’s (1911-1991) dramatic work is although the average college library probably einer Familie / Buddenbrooks: The Decline defined by themes of guilt and responsibility, buys fewer German-language books than this of a Family (1901) and Der Zauberberg / The including his most appreciated novel Montauk for their entire German studies profile. Magic Mountain (1924), won the Nobel Prize (1975), a searing autobiographical exploration To face the collection challenges noted in 1929, went on to publish Doktor Faustus / of relationships and memory. Arno Schmidt above — scope, volume, discovery — and Doctor Faustus (1947), and then returned to (1914-1979) emerged as an experimental writer more, many libraries create a core author list, Switzerland in 1952 where he continued with with Leviathan (1949) and while his master- usually with less than 100 authors, to help autobiographical writings and shorter fiction piece Zettels Traum / Bottom’s Dream (1970) frame collection goals within budget con- until his death. (1877-1962), was not translated into English until 2016, straints. How does a librarian define a small the author of Demian (1919), Siddhartha Schmidt’s voluminous output established core author list in the face of such abundance (1922), and Steppenwolf (1927), was redis- him as a major presence in German literature. of choices? Different types of institutions covered by a new generation of readers after (1916-1982) is a celebrated approach this challenge by developing lists winning the Nobel Prize in 1946. Robert playwright of works like Die Ermittlung / The aimed at their local users’ needs. University Walser (1878-1956) received praise for Jakob Investigation (1965), based on transcripts of programs in literature often provide reading von Gunten (1909), but had stopped writing the Auschwitz Trials of 1963-1965, lists (the University of Trier has a well-de- around 1933 and had disappeared from public and his three-volume novel Die Ästhetik des signed list).5 Journals like Cicero offer best- life by 1945. He is now hailed as a leading Widerstands / The Aesthetics of Resistance seller and top 100 lists, such as Max A. Höfer’s figure of Swiss-German literature with an (1975-1981), a novel about antifascist resis- yearly list of 500 intellectuals to watch.6 This output so prolific that even though editions tance. (1926-1973) list is accompanied by the ranking criteria, of his collected works were published in the experienced Nazi occupation in her hometown including a metric for whether an author is 1970s, new materials are still being discovered of , , and became an influen- trending higher or lower than the prior year. today. Alfred Döblin (1878-1957), the author tial public intellectual, poet, and writer after Specialized German-language book vendors of Berlin Alexanderplatz: Die Geschichte vom the war. Her novel Malina (1971) reflects the like Harrassowitz aggregate author metrics Franz Biberkopf / Alexanderplatz, Berlin: The early feminist debates. Walter Kempowski like the number of reviews, prestige of prizes Story of Franz Biberkopf (1929), returned to (1929-2007) is best known for a series of nine received, and more to aid library selection.7 Germany and served in the cultural affairs novels summarized by the publisher as Deut- The Resources for College Libraries (RCL) department in Baden-Baden, amongst many sche Chronik / German Chronicle (1971-1984), Germanic Languages and subject other public humanities activities. Gottfried but his many works and innovative projects still collection features a taxonomy of author head- Benn (1886-1956) wrote post-war poems receive so much attention that a Kempows- ings and a focus on identifying core works in Statische Gedichte / Static Poems (1948) and ki-Archiv was founded for this effort in 2007. 8 translation as well as in the original. Every an autobiography Doppelleben / Double Life continued on page 49 48 Against the Grain / September 2019 literature and film; new East German literature; lists are ever-evolving and seldom compre- Collecting to the Core after the postmodern; and politically-engaged hensive. Author lists, whether compiled by a from page 48 women writers. In addition to these broad department, a book vendor, or RCL, should be themes from the Gegenwartsliteratur volumes, used as a basis for evaluating what is relevant to For this cohort of post-1945 authors, one a review of literary genres like pop literature, support the local institutional needs. An author group of writers organized as “Gruppe 47” pop feminism, graphic novels, and national or list that is reviewed every year will help inform stands out. This group networked through intercultural identity (German, Austrian, Swiss, and shape the local collection. meetings and literary accolades, influencing the Afro-German, Turkish-German, Russian-Ger- trajectory of post-war literature. The group was man, Russian-Jewish-German, Eastern Eu- active from 1947-1967, though many members ropean, refugee, etc.) yields further authors Endnotes are productive even today. Some of the most to consider. With an author name in hand, 1. Arnold, Heinz Ludwig. Kindlers Liter- prominent authors associated with Gruppe 47 by browsing the BDSL index under Inhalt › atur Lexikon. Stuttgart: J.B. Metzler, 2009. whether as a core member or invited guest at an Klassifikation › 1990 bis zur Gegenwart › Zu 2. Stadt- und Universitätsbibliothek annual meeting, like (1920-1970), einzelnen Autoren, librarians can quickly judge Frankfurt am Main. Bibliographie Der are: Ilse Aichinger (1921-2016); Ingeborg an emerging author by the critical reception. Deutschen Sprach- Und Literaturwissen- Bachmann; Heinrich Böll (1917-1985, Nobel A library trying to diversify or update their schaft. Frankfurt am Main, 2004-. Prize in 1972); author list might consider adding some of the 3. Korte, Hermann, and Heinze Lud- (b. 1929); Günter Grass (1927-2015, Nobel following emerging writers to their profile: wig Arnold. Kritisches Lexikon Zur Prize in 1999); (b. 1942); (b. 1970); (b. Deutschsprachigen Gegenwartsliteratur. München: Edition Text + Kritik, 1978-. (1934-1984); 1970); (b. 1970); Terézia (1926-2014); (b. 1927); Peter Mora (b. 1971); Kathrin Röggla (b. 1971); 4. Vetruba, Brian, Leon Wiese, and Paul Weiss; Gabriele Wohmann (1932-2015). Michael Lützeler. “Thirty-First Annual Lukas Bärfuss (b. 1971); Emma Braslavsky Bibliography 2017 (Contemporary German The generation of writers born in the (b. 1971); Selim Özdoğan (b. 1971); Nico Literature Collection).” University Librar- 1930s and 40s includes writers that came to Bleutge (b. 1972); Thomas Glavinic (b. ies Publications. 24. Accessed April 21, prominence in East Germany. East German 1972); Jan Böttcher (b. 1973); Que Du Luu 2019. https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/ writers are usually studied as a phenomenon, (b. 1973); (b. 1974); Jan Brandt lib_papers/24 not as canonical literature, with the exception (b. 1974); (b. 1975); Ben- 5. Universität Trier FB II - Germanistik. of writers who kept a critical distance and were jamin von Stuckrad-Barre (b. 1975); Jens “Trierer Leseliste. Neuere Deutsche Litera- disassociated with the DDR. Those authors Steiner (b. 1975); Clemens Meyer (b. 1977); turwissenschaft.” Accessed April 21, 2019. are included below, together with other au- https://www.uni-trier.de/fileadmin/fb2/prof/ Xaver Bayer (b. 1977); Alina Bronsky (b. GER/NDL/NDL/Ndl_leseliste.pdf thors from this generation: Günter de Bruyn 1978); Arno Camenisch (b. 1978); Matthias (b.1926); (1929-2011); Thomas 6. Höfer, Max A. “Ranking. Die 500 Nawrat (b. 1979); Judith Schalansky (b. Wichtigsten Deutschsprachigen Intellektuel- Bernhard (1931-1989); Gabriele Wohmann; 1980); Marjana Gaponenko (b. 1981); Lena len.” Cicero: Magazin Für Politische Kultur Peter Härtling (1933-2017); Gorelik (b. 1981); Nora Bossong (b. 1982); 3 (2019): 17-29. (b. 1940); Barbara Frischmuth (b. 1941); Ann Cotten (b. 1982); Benjamin Lebert (b. 7. Harrassowitz. Accessed April 21, 2019. (1943-2018); Bernhard 1982); Nino Haratischwili (b. 1983); Olga https://www.harrassowitz.de Schlink (b. 1944); W. G. Sebald (1944-2001); Grjasnowa (b. 1984); Susanne Heinrich (b. 8. Resources for College Libraries. Ac- (b. 1944); 1985); Sabrina Janesch (b.1985). cessed April 21, 2019. http://rclweb.net/ (b. 1946, Nobel Prize in 2004); A typical contemporary German-language 9. Deutsche Nationalbibliothek. “Deutsch- (b. 1946); Bodo Kirchhoff (b. 1948); Pat- literature collection contains canonical authors, es Exilarchiv 1933-1945.” Accessed April rick Süskind (b.1949); Zsuzsanna Gahse emerging writers, diverse themes and author 21, 2019. https://www.dnb.de/EN/DEA/ dea_node.html (b. 1946); Emine Sevgi Özdamar (b. 1946); backgrounds, as well as the associated literary (b. 1949). criticism, all bound by a fixed budget. An author 10. Gegenwartsliteratur: Ein German- Writers born in the 1950s and ’60s are still istisches Jahrbuch = a German Studies list can be an effective collection management Yearbook. Tübingen: Stauffenburg, 2002-. emerging as important contemporary authors, aid. Libraries may use one of the many exist- true to the adage that it takes 30 years of work * Editor’s note: Due to space, not all of ing author lists as a starting point, including the titles listed in the essay appear in the to become an overnight sensation. These au- the sample list above that identifies under 100 endnotes, though many are in the Resources thors include: Herta Müller (b. 1953, Nobel contemporary authors. It is important to under- for College Libraries database. The dates Prize in 2009); (b. 1953); Rob- stand that because of the volume of output in listed in parentheticals within the essay note ert Menasse (b. 1954); Rainald Maria Goetz contemporary literature and the shifting nature the work’s German publication date. (b. 1954); (b. 1954); of appreciation towards authors or works, author Maxim Biller (b. 1960); Yōko Tawada (b. 1960); Zafer Şenocak (b. 1961); Feridun Zaimoǧlu (b. 1964); (b. 1964); Ferdinand von Schirach (b. 1964); (b. 1964); (b. 1966); Navid Kermani (b.1967); Arno with Ivy Anderson and Gwen Evans. Here’s Geiger (b. 1968); Uwe Tellkamp (b. 1968); Rumors the URL to the video of the session https:// Melinda Nadj Abonji (b. 1968). from page 32 www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR4nf7zjEi0&- The generation of writers born in the feature=youtu.be. student perspective. Many of the articles will 1970s, ’80s, and beyond have not yet made So what has happened to Delta Think? it into the canon and translation is lagging, be open access on the ATG NewsChannel. www.against-the-grain.com/ And please use Lauren Kane has joined as CEO and Ann which means a further delay in appreciation Michael becomes Chair of the Board as part abroad. Researching authors around themes the hashtag#ATGDIGITALTEXTBOOKS to promote and access to the article! of Delta Think’s expansion. Delta Think in their fiction, or grouping authors around is a consulting and advisory firm focused on identities and experiences proves to be a fruit- Congratulate the grand Ann Michael for innovation and growth in scholarly commu- ful approach for authors born after 1970. An starting a new position as Chief Digital Officer nications. In this role, Ms. Kane will lead invaluable tool in this endeavor is the journal (CDO) at Public Library of Science (PLOS). Delta Think’s expansion as the organization Gegenwartsliteratur: Ein germanistisches Ann was a big hit during the 2018 Charleston increases its footprint as an expert advisor in Jahrbuch.10 It offers the following emerging Conference when as CEO of Delta Think scholarly communications and a trusted voice themes, together with author recommenda- she moderated a panel on “Data Expeditions: in the evolving dialogue on Open Access and tions: multicultural; Jewish-German; Berlin; Mining Data for Effective Decision-Making” Open Science. https://deltathink.com

Against the Grain / September 2019 49