Like many European countries, Austria’s literary history begins during the Medieval period, with epics and “Minnesang” which was lyrical poetry. The famed poet Heinrich Von Morungen was known for his lyrical poetry about love, while Walther von der vogelweide is one of the most famous German speaking poets of all time. 

Towards the end of the Medieval period, Baroque art became popular which is noted for its elaborate style and religious themes. 

The 19th century saw the rise of Romanticism and “Biedermeier” which was literature that focused on domesticity, simplicity, and conservative values, while Romanticism focused on emotion, love, nature, and individualism.

Early 20th Century Austrian literature is known for an Avant-Garde style. Arthur Schnitzler, a playwright and novelist, wrote about psychology and sexuality. 

The interwar period of WWII is a complicated time for Austria, with their close links to Germany. While many writers likely opposed the war and the Holocaust, speaking out was dangerous. 

Author Stefan Zweig foresaw the impending doom of the Nazis and migrated from Austria to England, and then later to Brazil. He famously wrote Beware of Pity in 1939, which was the inspiration for The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson.

The post WWII literature of Austria, unsurprisingly focused on the fallout of the war, both in a sense of national pride, as well as economic strife. During this period the Vienna Group was formed, which was a group of writers who experimented with language and form. 

In contemporary Austrian literature, themes often explore national and individual identity, history, and modern society. Elfriede Jelinek is a Nobel Prize winning author who wrote works addressing feminism, sexuality and power. Peter Handke is another Nobel Prize winning author.

Austria was also home to one of the world’s most famous mountaineer’s, Heinrich Harrer, who wrote Seven Years in Tibet, which is based on the true story of his time in exile in Tibet after escaping a WWII prison camp while on on a mountaineering expedition.