In 1968, a year marked by political upheaval and youthful rebellion in America and Europe, Barbara Frischmuth, a young member of the Forum Stadtpark writers’ group in Graz, Austria, published her timely and successful debut novel, Die Klosterschule [The Cloister School], protesting oppressive conditions, particularly through manipulation of language, in Catholic boarding schools. In the meantime, her works have established her as a significant contemporary writer who continues to explore major issues of her time. Although she has reservations about the term “feminist”, Frischmuth’s literary explorations of gender issues and of women’s experience comprise one of her major achievements. Intriguing and psychologically intric

This article in full comprises 1202 words but only the first 150 or so words are available to non-members.

All our articles have been written recently by experts in their field, more than 95% of them university professors. To read about membership, please click here.

First published 09 August 2004

Citation: S. Saur, Pamela. "Barbara Frischmuth". The Literary Encyclopedia. 9 August 2004.
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5809, accessed 20 November 2009.]