Bernhard Schlink
Bernhard Schlink
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Bernd Bernhard Schlink is a German author, lawyer, and professor known for his critically acclaimed novels that explore the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of war.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on March 6, 1944, in Bielefeld, Germany. As of my last update, he is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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German author, lawyer, professor
Early Life and Background
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Schlink was born into a family that valued education and literature. His father, Bernhard Schlink Sr., was a prominent figure in the field of German law. Growing up in post-war Germany, Schlink witnessed firsthand the trauma and division that characterized his country's history. He developed an interest in literature at an early age, which would later become a defining aspect of his career.
Major Accomplishments
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Schlink's most notable work is the novel "The Reader" (German: _Der Vorleser_), published in 1995. The book tells the story of a young man who develops a relationship with an older woman, only to discover her dark past as a Nazi concentration camp guard during World War II. This powerful and thought-provoking novel won numerous awards, including the German Book Prize (Deutscher Buchpreis) in 1995.
Notable Works or Actions
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"The Reader" (Der Vorleser), published in 1995
"Homecoming" (Die Heimkehr), published in 2006, a novel that explores the consequences of war on individuals and communities
* Schlink has also written essays and articles on law, history, and literature, showcasing his versatility as an author
Impact and Legacy
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Schlink's work has had a significant impact on contemporary literature. His exploration of complex themes such as guilt, responsibility, and the human condition resonates with readers worldwide. The success of "The Reader" led to its adaptation into a film in 2008, further cementing Schlink's reputation as a masterful storyteller.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Bernhard Schlink is widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking novels that challenge readers to confront the darker aspects of human nature. His work serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and accountability in the face of historical trauma. As a writer who has explored some of the most profound questions of our time, Schlink's legacy continues to inspire new generations of readers and writers alike.
With his unique blend of literary skill and philosophical insight, Bernhard Schlink remains one of the most important voices in contemporary literature, leaving an indelible mark on the world of fiction.
Quotes by Bernhard Schlink
Bernhard Schlink's insights on:
In every part of my life, too, I stood outside myself and watched; I saw myself functioning at the university, with my parents and brother and sister and my friends, but inwardly I felt no involvement.
Sometimes the memory of happiness cannot stay true because it ended unhappily. Because happiness is only real if it lasts forever? Because things always end painfully if they contained pain, conscious or unconscious, all along? But what is unconscious, unrecognized pain?
I certainly know German colleagues in the US who try to be Americans, try to melt into Americanism, even before they get married and become American citizens. But I’ve never tried that.
I took all the blame. I admitted mistakes I hadn’t made, intentions I’d never had. Whenever she turned cold and hard, I begged her to be good to me again, to forgive me and love me. Sometimes I had the feeling that she hurt herself when she turned cold and rigid. As if what she was yearning for was the warmth of my apologies, protestations, and entreaties. Sometimes I thought she just bullied me. But either way, I had no choice.
We all condemned our parents to shame, even if the only charge we could bring was that after 1945 they had tolerated the perpetrators in their midst.
People who commit monstrous crimes are not necessarily monsters. If they were, things would be easy. But they aren’t and it is one of the experiences of life.
There’s this old saying that, if you aren’t particularly gifted in natural sciences, if you don’t want to become a teacher or pastor or doctor, and don’t know what else to do, then you become a lawyer. But I’ve never regretted it.
But behavior does not merely enact whatever has already been thought through and decided. It has its own sources, and is my behavior, quite independently, just as my thoughts are my thoughts, and my decisions my decisions.
The value of being brave, working hard, saving money keeping order depends on what it’s for.
I know that disavowal is an unusal form of betrayal. From the outside it is impossible to tell if you are disowning someone or simply exercising discretion, being considerate, avoiding embarrassments and sources of irritation. But you, who are doing the disowning, you know what you’re doing. And disavowal pulls the underpinnings away from a relationship just as surely as other more flamboyant types of betrayal.