Inspiring Narratives at the Third Reading Day
The third reading day commenced with the appearance of legal advisor Andreas Sourij, addressing online allegations against Caroline Rosales, who was accused of having previously published segments of her text. Fortunately, these allegations could not be substantiated, allowing her and fellow contestant Slata Roschal to continue in the competition.
Derya Uzun’s Intriguing Journey
Derya Uzun, invited by Mithu Sanyal, presented her text “Fragments of a Suicide,” a poignant narrative that explores the complexities of a Turkish daughter dealing with her mentally ill mother. This emotional depth captured the jury’s attention, sparking a thoughtful discussion.
Critical Reception
Mara Delius initiated the jury’s discussion, highlighting the compelling themes of heritage and academic ambition present in Uzun’s writing. She noted that while some dialogues were engaging, they occasionally lacked tonal variety. Thomas Strässle expressed his admiration for the humor within the narrative, particularly the concept of cyclically revolving around the mother figure. Notably, moments where the daughter grapples with her mother’s suicide attempt generated laughter amid intense emotions.
Humor and Dark Themes
Strässle further praised Uzun’s ability to capture intense emotions with lines like, “I almost fell ill with worry until I remembered I didn’t want children.” Mithu Sanyal even described one of the book’s suicide attempts involving a humorous element — “19 cents of salt from Aldi” — illustrating the text’s mix of seriousness and playfulness.
Words from Klaus Kastberger
Klaus Kastberger pointed out a significant plot detail and remarked on how the mother-daughter relationship recurs in literature. He regarded the narrative as intelligent, particularly when contrasting the realms of heritage and education. Strässle noted a particular standout line: “The cake gave up.”
Christoph Szalay’s Introduction to Ski-Jumping
Another contestant, Christoph Szalay, invited by Brigitte Schwens-Harrant, introduced “Amiata.” His storytelling transitioned from a descriptive winter scene in the Italian Alps to a ski-jumping narrative infused with his own experiences as a Nordic combined athlete.
Jury Ponders Szalay’s Narrative
Mara Delius expressed surprise at the physically engaging nature of Szalay’s text. Judge Philipp Tingler applauded the integration of technical detail with lyrical elements, though some parts left him feeling puzzled. As Kastberger noted the work’s relevance beyond skiing, Sanyal humorously quipped that it was less interesting than a text about football.
Meta-Text by Wolfgang Popp
Following Szalay, Wolfgang Popp read “Now I’m Curious,” a meta-text reflecting on an author’s journey to the Bachmann Prize. Delius remarked on the humor and performative self-commentary, while Sanyal admitted it’s a genre she usually finds tedious but enjoyed in this instance.
A Remarkable Two-Page Short Story by Gesche Heumann
The day concluded with Gesche Heumann’s short piece “The Deep Face,” which, at just two A4 pages, is possibly the shortest in the competition’s history. Delius praised its brevity and cleverness, calling it a brilliant miniature work, while Strässle found it bold and refreshing.
Anticipation for Upcoming Awards
Among the authors expected to have a good shot at the awards were Jovana Reisinger and Kinga Toth, along with other strong contenders like Lena Schätte and Magdalena Schrefel, showcasing the creative talent gathered in Klagenfurt.
As the awards approach, the excitement builds, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 37 degrees Celsius on Saturday in Klagenfurt. The audience, equipped with water dispensers and shaded areas beneath the trees, eagerly awaits the final votes for the public prize.
