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The Collected Stories
The definitive short story collection by the Nobel Laureate and master of the form
These diverse, psychologically rich, and morally profound stories explore the consequences of war on individuals and on an entire culture. The Collected Stories of Heinrich Böll provides readers with the only comprehensive collection by this master of the short-story form.
Includes all the stories from Böll’s The Mad Dog, Eighteen Short Stories, The Casualty, and The Stories of Heinrich Böll. The 1972 Nobel Laureate, Böll was considered a master 20th century literature, and The Collected Stories of Heinrich Böll contains some of his finest work.
These diverse, psychologically rich, and morally profound stories explore the consequences of war on individuals and on an entire culture. The Collected Stories of Heinrich Böll provides readers with the only comprehensive collection by this master of the short-story form.
Includes all the stories from Böll’s The Mad Dog, Eighteen Short Stories, The Casualty, and The Stories of Heinrich Böll. The 1972 Nobel Laureate, Böll was considered a master 20th century literature, and The Collected Stories of Heinrich Böll contains some of his finest work.
976 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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206 people want to read
About the author
Heinrich Böll
639 books1,645 followersDer deutsche Schriftsteller und Übersetzer gilt als einer der bedeutendsten deutschen Autoren der Nachkriegszeit. Er schrieb Gedichte, Kurzgeschichten und Romane, von denen auch einige verfilmt wurden. Dabei setzte er sich kritisch mit der jungen Bundesrepublik auseinander. Zu seinen erfolgreichsten Werken zählen "Billard um halbzehn", "Ansichten eines Clowns" und "Gruppenbild mit Dame". Den Nobelpreis für Literatur bekam Heinrich Böll 1972; er war nach 43 Jahren der erste deutsche Schriftsteller, dem diese Auszeichnung zuteil wurde. 1974 erschien sein wohl populärstes Werk, "Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum". Durch sein politisches Engagement wirkte er, gemeinsam mit seinem Freund Lew Kopelew, auf die europäische Literatur der Nachkriegszeit. Darüber hinaus arbeitete Böll gemeinsam mit seiner Frau Annemarie als Herausgeber und Übersetzer englischsprachiger Werke ins Deutsche...
Heinrich Böll became a full-time writer at the age of 30. His first novel, Der Zug war pünktlich (The Train Was on Time), was published in 1949. Many other novels, short stories, radio plays, and essay collections followed. In 1972 he received the Nobel Prize for Literature "for his writing which through its combination of a broad perspective on his time and a sensitive skill in characterization has contributed to a renewal of German literature." He was the first German-born author to receive the Nobel Prize since Hermann Hesse in 1946. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages, and he is one of Germany's most widely read authors.
Heinrich Böll became a full-time writer at the age of 30. His first novel, Der Zug war pünktlich (The Train Was on Time), was published in 1949. Many other novels, short stories, radio plays, and essay collections followed. In 1972 he received the Nobel Prize for Literature "for his writing which through its combination of a broad perspective on his time and a sensitive skill in characterization has contributed to a renewal of German literature." He was the first German-born author to receive the Nobel Prize since Hermann Hesse in 1946. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages, and he is one of Germany's most widely read authors.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 6, 2020
I am so glad that I took the time to read this remarkable collection by a Nobel Laureate. It’s a stunning read, lyrical and expressive perspectives on experiences of war on the frontlines and after war, desolation and recovery of the mind, body and soul not only of its people but the country itself. His writing is concise, evocative and insightful all at the same time. His war stories stand the test of time but I don’t know how well the philosophical stories on religion, especially now would bear with the readers. That is for the reader to affirm and I believe, Heinrich Böll had most likely envisioned it to be so. He was a most generous author.
“If the dead could speak there would be no more war.” Heinrich Böll; “The Stories of Heinrich Böll”
“If the dead could speak there would be no more war.” Heinrich Böll; “The Stories of Heinrich Böll”
January 20, 2019
Beautiful, haunting and human. Interesting to see the perspective of the German soldier's side in WWII. Poetic and descriptive, Boll captures the hopelessness of war and its effects on all, even those affected indirectly. Highly recommended!
October 15, 2020
Herr Heinrich Böll is an artist of subtlety and deft touch, and some of the stories here display a real depth and mystery and magic. Nevertheless, I found the stories a bit hit and miss.
Many seem to go nowhere and end suddenly with no resolution; this would drive some readers crazy.
Others convey the rich inner world of their characters, and merely hint at profound perceptions and truths.
Most are relentlessly melancholy and seem to be struggling with a sense of hopelessness; but that's ok with me.
Many seem to go nowhere and end suddenly with no resolution; this would drive some readers crazy.
Others convey the rich inner world of their characters, and merely hint at profound perceptions and truths.
Most are relentlessly melancholy and seem to be struggling with a sense of hopelessness; but that's ok with me.
March 9, 2023
The first half of this collection of stories was gripping and intense, but I found myself skimming the second half and wishing it was time for me to begin reading the works of Gunter Grass.
May 7, 2011
Kind of snivelling, but still better than the legion.
August 10, 2016
Perfect masterpiece.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews