War Diary

Austrian writer Ingeborg Bachmann (1926-73) is a key figure in postwar German literature, known for her novels, poetry, and plays. Her War Diary is a collection of sketches rather than a traditional journal, reflecting the final months of World War II and the early British occupation of Austria. These powerful entries, remarkable for her young age, express her deep disdain for war and Nazism as she navigates the fervent nationalism in Klagenfurt. The British occupation introduces her to Jack Hamesh, a British officer and Jewish refugee from Vienna, who is surprised to meet an Austrian girl familiar with banned authors like Mann and Schnitzler. Their correspondence, particularly Hamesh's letters to Bachmann during his time in Israel in 1946, reveals his struggles with rootlessness after the war. War Diary offers a unique perspective on Bachmann's development as a writer and serves as a poignant reflection on life in post-war Austria. The insights from both Bachmann and Hamesh extend beyond their personal narratives, touching on broader themes of loss and recovery. The German edition has been praised for its critical commentary, highlighting the historical context and the emotional resonance of Bachmann's experiences.