On occasion of the 100th anniversary of Max Frisch‘s birth on May 15, 2011 Volker Weidermann has undertaken a requisite research, trawled through archives and interviewed contemporaries, conducted discussions and, above all, devoted much of his time to reading: the major novels, the stage plays, the early texts, the correspondence, and the diaries in order to paint a multifaceted and fascinating picture.
This initially portrays an insecure young man with highly ambitious plans. Frisch went on to study architecture, in which profession he enjoyed meteoric success; however, he could never completely abandon writing. Through the theatre and his friendship to Brecht, Frisch finally evolved into the highly modern, bold, self-searching world author we know today. From “Bin or the Voyage to Peking”, via “I’m Not Stiller”, “Biedermann and the Fire Raisers”, and “Homo Faber” to “Andorra”, the trajectory of his achievements ultimately led him to “Montauk” - and universal acclaim. It is the incredible life of a man accustomed to success, a man capable of great empathy and love, it is the life of one of the greatest German-language authors of the past century. The story of a life spanning an entire century, whose impact has remained undiminished, enigmatic and inspiring.
