GESCHICHTE DER AUTORENBUCHHANDLUNG BERLIN
Writers and cultural figures, including Heinrich Böll, Oskar Pastior, Ingeborg Drewitz, Gerlind Reinshagen, Uwe Johnson, Walter Kempowski, Marianne Frisch, Vicco v. Bülow, Allen Ginsberg, Elias Canetti, Hildegard and Reinhard Baumgart, Elfriede Jelinek, Peter Bichsel, Wolfgang Hildesheimer, Brigitte Kronauer, Tankred Dorst, Friederike Mayröcker, Ernst Jandl, Urs Jaeggi, Uwe Timm, Margarete Mitscherlich, Klaus Staeck, Wolf Lepenies, Elisabeth Plessen, Walter Höllerer, Peter Weiss, Klaus Wagenbach, Martin Walser and many other committed people decided at the end of the 1970s that it was time to do something to counter the trend of big bookshops and staple goods, and were already members of this illustrious artists' association when it opened or became members over the years. Together they wanted to stand up against the general flattening of the book trade and for the strengthening of the special and essential. To give literature as art a protected space, world literature a new, unconditional home. Thus the writers founded the autorenbuchhandlungen in Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin with a one-off financial contribution of their own and a great deal of advice and action.
In his opening speech on the famous green tiled stove, Günter Grass emphasised not only literary but also commercial skills. The fox knew even then that the hunt was on for the building and always favoured the "City" as the location. He wished the booksellers Helma von Kieseritzky and Thomas Kühne perseverance and ingenuity, and the autorenbuchhandlung's customers as readers "that concentrated pleasure that only literature can offer". It turned out that writers are true historians.
Writers and booksellers quickly established the autorenbuchhandlungberlin as a place of special coincidences. They wanted to politically alphabetize, enlighten, entertain. But differently. It was never just about pleasing. Rather, the aim was to keep journalistic autonomy alive in the literary establishment. Contemporary events were discussed. Portraits of authors, publishers and magazines were presented. Radio play evenings. And readings again and again. Ingo Schulze with "Neue Leben"(2007), Friedrich Wilhelm von Sell with "Mehr Öffentlichkeit"(2006), Lars Gustafsson "Der Dekan" (2004), Friedrich Christian Delius "Mein Jahr als Mörder" (2005), Heinz Berggruen "Die Giacomettis und andere Freunde" (2005), Hanns Zischler "Kafka geht ins Kino" (1996), Jorge Semprún "What a beautiful Sunday" (1983), Klaus Wagenbach "Kafka's Prague" (1993), Gert Loschütz "This beautiful effort" (1980), Wolf Lepenies "The three cultures" (1985), Sibylle Lewitscharoff "Pong" (1998), Wolfgang Kohlhaase "New Year's Eve with Balzac" (1979), Michael Krüger "Idylls and illusions" (1989), György Konrad "Geisterfest" (1986), Ernst Jandl "Die Bearbeitung der Mütze' (1979), Umberto Eco "Der Name der Rose" (1982), Ingeborg Drewitz "Oktoberlicht oder Ein Tag im Herbst" (1981), Thea Dorn "Die Hirnkönigin (2000), Jacques Derrida "Telepathie" (1982), Alfred Brendel "Fingerzeig (1996), Isabel Allende "Das Geisterhaus' (1984), Günter Grass "Die Rättin" (1986), Hans Sahl "Das Exil im Exil" (1990), Marica Bodrozic "Das Gedächtnis der Libellen' (2010), Ulrich Plenzdorf "Legende vom Glück ohne Ende" (1976), Oskar Pastior "Ingwer und Jedoch" (1985), Susan Sontag "Ich,etc.“ (1988). Too little space to list them all here. Those mentioned can only be examples.
Since its founding, all employees have put their heart and soul into the autorenbuchhandlungberlin, and with their commitment they have ensured an understanding of the literature of our time.
Curious, but also critical, benevolent, but also judgmental, literature is a universal host that invites other arts onto its pages for a fruitful exchange. In this it is a role model for us, spurring us on.
Stay with us or become loyal to us!
Yours, Joachim Fürst and all author booksellers
