Elfriede Jelinek facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elfriede Jelinek
Jelinek in 2004
Born	(1946-10-20) 20 October 1946 (age 78) Mürzzuschlag, Austria
Occupation	Playwright, novelist
Education	University of Vienna
Genre	Feminism, social criticism, postdramatic theatre
Years active	1963–present
Notable works	The Piano Teacher, Die Kinder der Toten, Greed
Notable awards	Georg Büchner Prize 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature 2004
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Elfriede Jelinek (born 20 October 1946) is an Austrian writer. She writes plays and novels. She is one of the most recognized authors who write in German.

In 2004, she won the Nobel Prize in Literature. She received this award for her "musical flow of voices" in her books and plays. Her writing shows the silly parts of society's common ideas and how they can control people. Many people think she is one of the most important living playwrights in the German language.

Who is Elfriede Jelinek?

Early Life and Family

Elfriede Jelinek was born on October 20, 1946. Her birthplace was Mürzzuschlag, Austria. Her mother, Olga Ilona, was a personnel director. Her father, Friedrich Jelinek, was a chemist.

She grew up in Vienna. Her mother was Catholic and had Romanian-German roots. Her father was of Czech Jewish background. His last name, Jelinek, means "little deer" in Czech. Her father worked in important industries during Second World War. This helped him avoid harm. However, many of his relatives were victims of the Holocaust.

Education and Early Writing

As a child, Elfriede went to a Catholic convent school in Vienna. Her mother wanted her to be a musical "Wunderkind" (a child prodigy). Elfriede learned to play many instruments. These included piano, organ, guitar, and violin.

She later studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna. She earned a diploma in organ playing. During this time, she tried to meet her mother's high hopes. She also dealt with her father's illness.

She also studied art history and theater at the University of Vienna. However, she had to stop her studies for a year. She felt unwell and stayed at her parents' house. During this time, she started writing seriously. It helped her feel better.

Elfriede began writing poetry when she was young. Her first book, Lisas Schatten (Lisa's Shadow), came out in 1967. She won her first literary award in 1969. In the 1960s, she became interested in politics. She read a lot and watched a lot of television. She married Gottfried Hüngsberg on June 12, 1974.

Her Work and Ideas

Writing Style and Themes

Elfriede Jelinek's writing is very connected to Austrian literature. She has been influenced by other Austrian writers. Her work often looks at three main ideas. She writes about how society sometimes treats people like products. She also explores problems from Austria's past. And she writes about the unfair treatment of women in society.

Jelinek has said that Jewish satirical traditions have influenced her. She feels a strong connection to her Jewish heritage. She believes this culture was harmed by past events.

Types of Work

Jelinek has created many different types of works. These include radio plays, poems, and theater scripts. She has also written essays, novels, and screenplays. She has even composed music and created film art.

Her work often causes strong reactions. She has won many important awards. These include the Georg Büchner Prize in 1998. She also won the Franz Kafka Prize in 2004. And, of course, the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2004.

In books like Die Liebhaberinnen (Women as Lovers) and The Piano Teacher, she shows how power can affect relationships. She often writes about how power and strong feelings can affect how people interact. Her writing style is unique and sometimes surprising.

Political Involvement

Elfriede Jelinek was a member of Austria's Communist Party from 1974 to 1991. She became well-known in the 1990s. This was because she strongly disagreed with Jörg Haider's Freedom Party.

After the 1999 elections, the Freedom Party joined the government. Jelinek became one of its loudest critics. Many other countries were also critical of Austria's new government. They pointed to the Freedom Party's strong nationalistic views. The government tried to get the country to unite behind them. This led to a tense political time. Some people even accused critics like Jelinek of treason.

Awards and Recognitions

Elfriede Jelinek has received many honors for her work:

• 1996: Literaturpreis der Stadt Bremen
• 1998: Georg Büchner Prize
• 2002: Mülheimer Dramatikerpreis for Macht Nichts
• 2003: Else Lasker-Schüler Dramatist Prize
• 2004: Hörspielpreis der Kriegsblinden for Jackie
• 2004: Franz Kafka Prize
• 2004: Nobel Prize in Literature
• 2004: Stig Dagerman Prize
• 2004: Mülheimer Dramatikerpreis for Das Werk
• 2009: Mülheimer Dramatikerpreis for Rechnitz (Der Würgeengel)
• 2011: Mülheimer Dramatikerpreis for Winterreise
• 2011: Honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters
• 2017: Theatre prize Der Faust for lifetime achievement
• 2021: Honorary citizen of the City of Vienna
• 2021: Nestroy Theatre Prize for lifetime achievement

See also

• List of female Nobel laureates
• List of Jewish Nobel laureates