Welcome to our episode on the novel Malina by Ingeborg Bachmann. David and Nathan wind their conversation through the disorienting pages of this incredible novel.

We explore its unique form and style, ponder its structure, and discuss how these creative decisions add to the overarching sense of strangeness and mystery that permeates the narrative. In this episode, we contemplate and ponder:

Is Malina even real? Or perhaps he’s pure animus overtaking the unknown woman’s self?
What is it that makes Ivan so desirable?
What is happening with the phone conversations?
Does Bachmann’s views on art and logical positivism affect the interpretation of the novel?
What’s the deal with airplane peanuts?

Join us for this where we try to unravel parts of this mesmerizing novel.

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Ingeborg Bachmann (1926–1973) was an Austrian poet and novelist, acclaimed for her profound exploration of existential themes and innovative literary style. Born in Klagenfurt, Austria, Bachmann experienced the tumultuous events of World War II firsthand, which profoundly influenced her writing. She studied philosophy, psychology, and German literature at the universities of Innsbruck, Graz, and Vienna. Bachmann's early poetry collections, such as "Die gestundete Zeit" (The Deferred Time), established her as a leading voice in post-war German literature. However, it was her groundbreaking novel "Malina" that solidified her reputation as a literary icon. Bachmann's works often grapple with themes of identity, trauma, and the search for meaning in a fractured world. Despite her tragically premature death in 1973, her legacy endures, with her writings continuing to inspire readers and writers alike with their depth, complexity, and enduring relevance.

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105 - Malina by Ingeborg Bachmann