Life “after Auschwitz” in Imre Kertész Books Cover Image

Życie „po Auschwitz” w twórczości Imre Kertésza
Life “after Auschwitz” in Imre Kertész Books

Author(s): Małgorzata Golik
Subject(s): Hungarian Literature, Criminology, Studies in violence and power, History of the Holocaust, History of Antisemitism
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: Imre Kertész; Holocaust; Auschwitz; trauma; fate;

Summary/Abstract: The article discusses a key issue in the writings of Imre Kertész (1929–2016), that is, contemplation on the effects of the concentration-camp trauma on the further life of survivors. In his books, the author touches upon problems faced by former inmates of concentration camps, often drawing on his own experience. The Nobel Prize winner reflects upon the former prisoners’ personalities, their problems in building relationships and their image of love and family distorted by war experiences. He also stresses the fact that many of them, unable to adapt to normal life, decided to commit suicide, while his escape from the trauma was just his writing.

  • Issue Year: 13/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 158-175
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: Polish