About the Author

Peter Sichrovsky: Peter Sichrovsky (b. 1946, Vienna) is an Austrian journalist, author, and former politician. He co-founded Austria's liberal newspaper Der Standard and served on the editorial board. From 1996-2004, he was a member of the European Parliament. Sichrovsky is the author of eighteen books. John Howard: John Howard, an American who lived in Berlin for more than two decades, has translated books from German to English and edited and translated many screenplays and treatments for film. He taught English language and literature in the US, Germany and Beijing and has been engaged as a producer-director for German radio and television (SWF, BR, HR). Ari Roth: Playwright and theatrical producer Ari Roth is the Artistic Director of Mosaic Theater Company in Washington DC. He is a two-time NEA playwriting grant award-winner, has received four commissions from the Foundation for Jewish Culture and is two-time recipient of the Avery Hopwood Award.

Reviews

A longtime journalist and politician, Sichrovsky writes with a crisp prose that makes his everyday characters real, with a touch of humor and subtle points about what being Jewish means today. This is a strong collection. ... The pieces here are memorable and diverse, making Verklempt an excellent English-language introduction to the author's fiction. --Foreword Reviews Moving and engaging... [Sichrovsky] set[s] up ... intriguing narratives and metaphors. --Asymptote Journal A touching, thoughtful, and powerful read; Sichrovsky's insights into people's secrets, regrets, and consciences are artfully divulged. Verklempt certainly lives up to its title. --Jewish Book World John Howard's translation is clear, clean, and straightforward. His word choices are simple and direct, resisting the temptation for sentimentality that such subject matter holds. I was especially impressed by the way he conveyed the different patterns of speech that characterize people of different ages and geographical descents. There is no confusing his elderly Austrian aunt with his Brooklynite Jewish mother. --Yardenne Greenspan, Asymptote Journal Intense existential stories with uplifting conclusions about people, torn by past conflicts and histories, who are coming to terms with the flow of everyday life through fulfillment of their desires. --Ivan Margolius, author of Reflections of Prague: Journeys Through the 20th Century