Tod eines Kritikers. Text and Context

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In this Subject: History ,&nbsp; Literature ,&nbsp; Political Science
By this author: Stuart Parkes

Author: Stuart Parkes

Source: German Monitor, Seelenarbeit an Deutschland. Martin Walser in Perspective. Edited by Stuart Parkes and Fritz Wefelmeyer , pp. 447-468(22)

Publisher: Rodopi

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Abstract:

The year of Walser's 75th birthday was undoubtedly overshadowed by the scandal created by his work Tod eines Kritikers, which was seen in some quarters as an antiSemitic attack on Marcel Reich-Ranicki. This essay seeks to show firstly that much which appeared scandalous or controversial had long been present in Walser's writing, for example his criticism of the mass media. Moreover, his relationship with critics in general and Reich-Ranicki in particular had always been difficult. Thereafter it turns specifically to the reception of Tod eines Kritikers, which ranged from fulsome praise to outright hostility. Finally, an examination of the work itself shows it to be a carefully crafted piece of fiction, containing at times very harsh satire, and not a crude anti-Semitic diatribe.

Document Type: Regular paper

Publication date: 2004-12-01