Elfriede Jelinek (b.1946) is an Austrian novelist, poet, and playwright. This winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize in Literature is noted for her polemical works on gender relations, female sexuality, social criticism, and popular culture. She is best known for her autobiographical novel, The Piano Teacher (1988.)
Born in Mürzzuschlag to a Czech-Jewish father and an Austrian mother, Jelinek was trained in Vienna, studying music at the Vienna Conservatory and theatre and art history at the University. Her first collection of poetry, Lisa’s Schatten (1967; Lisa’s Shadow,) was followed by a satirical novel, Wir sind Lockvögel Baby! (1970, We are Decoys, Baby!.) Her work is identified by its sharp social critique and heterogeneous style, combining poetry and prose, film description, and puns.
Jelinek’s novels include Die Liebhaberinnen (1975; Women as Lovers, 1994;) Die Klavierspielerin (1983; The Piano Teacher, 1988; made into a film in 2001 by Michael Haneke; and Lust (1989; Lust, 1992.) She has also translated, written stage and radio plays, screenplays, and an opera libretto.
Jelinek was a longstanding member of the Austrian communist party 1974–91 and has repeatedly criticized her country in her works.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Elfriede Jelinek
Love points the way. Desire is its ignorant advisor.
—Elfriede Jelinek
Stealing isn’t so easy, often it’s hard work, otherwise we’d all be doing it.
—Elfriede Jelinek
Topics: Character
I think isolation is one of the greatest problems, an ever-growing obstacle to political solidarity.
—Elfriede Jelinek
Topics: Isolation
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