How did Austrian writers grapple with their countrys problematic twentiethcentury history Nine scholars investigate how the complex role of the national past changed the content and context of Austrias literature. Contributions range from Klaus Zeyringers aggressive argument for an authentically Austrian literature to the late Harry Zohns autobiographical insights of a transplanted Viennese. Probing essays examine the Liberal and the NationalSocialist era writers in exile and in their roles as postwar social critics. Shadows of the Past also puts the authors themselves in the spotlight A minireader of hardhitting as well as humorous narrative texts complements the literary history that begins the volume. Written by Barbara Frischmuth Elisabeth Reichart and Erich Wolfgang Skwara these six texts are accompanied by helpful introductions to each author. As a further aid for Englishspeaking readers the original in German literary and critical texts are translated for the first time. Shadows of the Past allows students of European culture and comparative literature to experience a dramatic century in Austrian literature and history.