“Beware of Pity” by Stefan Zweig tells the story of a young cavalry officer, Hofmiller, who becomes entangled in the life of a wealthy family after a moment of thoughtless kindness. At a dinner party, he asks the host’s daughter to dance, unaware she is paralyzed.
Guilt over her condition leads him to offer her more attention than he truly feels, setting off a series of emotional and moral complications. Zweig captures the pain of unspoken emotions and the weight of decisions made out of duty rather than love.
The “Radetzky March” by Joseph Roth tells the story of the Trotta family across three generations, set against the backdrop of the declining Austro-Hungarian Empire.
It begins with a Trotta ancestor saving Emperor Franz Joseph’s life at a battle, earning the family status and privilege. The novel follows the struggles of his descendants as they navigate a changing world and their fading family legacy.
Through its characters, it paints a vivid picture of a collapsing empire and a way of life nearing its end.
The novel “The Man Without Qualities” by Robert Musil is set in early 20th-century Austria during the final years of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It follows Ulrich, a man who struggles to find meaning in a world full of contradictions.
The story unfolds in Vienna as he becomes involved in a project called the Parallel Campaign, which aims to commemorate the emperor’s reign.
Through his encounters with eccentric characters and their complex relationships, the book paints a vivid picture of a society on the verge of collapse.
Elfriede Jelinek’s “The Piano Teacher” tells the story of Erika Kohut, a piano teacher in Vienna, who lives under the control of her domineering mother.
Erika’s outward elegance hides her inner chaos as she secretly explores disturbing desires and forbidden spaces in her mundane life.
When one of her students, Walter Klemmer, develops a fascination with her, their relationship spirals into unsettling territory, exposing the darker sides of obsession and human behavior.
Aharon Appelfeld’s “Badenheim 1939” is set in a small Austrian resort town on the eve of World War II. The story follows a group of Jewish vacationers who arrive at the town for what starts as an ordinary holiday.
Slowly, their carefree days begin to feel uneasy as bureaucratic rules tighten, the environment grows tense, and their fates take on a darker tone. The novel paints the illusion of normalcy slipping away, showing life in a fragile, confined world.
“Correction” by Thomas Bernhard is about a man named Roithamer, who becomes consumed by his project to build a cone-shaped house in the exact center of a forest for his sister.
The story is told through manuscripts he left behind, which his friend organizes after Roithamer’s death. It explores his obsessive efforts, the toll on his mind, and his relationship with his sister.
The novel “Frost” by Thomas Bernhard follows a young medical student sent to observe an eccentric painter named Strauch in a remote Austrian village. Through the painter’s monologues and reflections, the story explores themes of isolation and despair in a harsh, snowy landscape.
Strauch’s intense personality and bleak worldview clash with the quiet surroundings, creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere.
E.C.R. Lorac’s “Murder in Vienna” is a mystery set against the elegant yet shadowed backdrop of post-war Vienna. The story follows Chief Inspector Macdonald, who investigates the sinister circumstances surrounding the murder of a prominent British cultural attaché.
As Macdonald navigates the tensions of a city divided by occupation forces, secrets buried beneath Vienna’s ruined beauty start to surface. The tale gives a vivid sense of the city’s atmosphere, from its grand opera houses to its hidden, crumbling corners.
The novel “Baron Bagge” by Alexander Lernet-Holenia is a haunting tale set during World War I. It follows the story of Baron Bagge, an officer in the Austro-Hungarian cavalry, who is sent on a dangerous mission.
As his journey unfolds, he encounters strange and surreal events, leading him to question the boundaries between life and death. The atmosphere is eerie, and there’s a sense of mystery that lingers in the background.
The story blends war with the supernatural, creating an unforgettable and unsettling experience.
“The Salzburg Connection” by Helen MacInnes is a Cold War spy novel set in the Austrian Alps. The story begins with the discovery of a chest submerged in a lake, which contains information that could expose hidden Nazi war criminals.
As multiple factions, including government agents and criminals, try to retrieve the contents, the tension builds around the struggle for control of the dangerous secrets. The novel weaves together intrigue, deception, and danger in a picturesque yet shadowy post-war Austria.
In “A Death in Vienna” by Daniel Silva, art restorer and spy Gabriel Allon investigates a bombing at a Holocaust research center. His search for answers uncovers secrets tied to his own past and a dark chapter in history.
The story spans generations and explores ties between victims, perpetrators, and those seeking truth.
The novel “Rhapsody” by Arthur Schnitzler explores the inner turmoil of a man named Fritz, who is consumed by doubt and jealousy after learning of his lover’s past affair.
Set against the backdrop of Vienna, the story captures his obsessive thoughts and emotional struggles as he navigates his feelings for her. It paints an intimate picture of human emotion and the fragility of love.
“From Nine to Nine” by Leo Perutz is about a man named Stanislaus Demba who finds himself caught up in a desperate situation over the course of a single day in Vienna.
He is on the run, trying to avoid capture while dealing with a theft and a forbidden love that have turned his life upside down. The story spirals as his choices lead to unexpected twists, all within the bustling backdrop of the city.
“A German Requiem” by Philip Kerr is a crime novel set in post-war Vienna in 1947. Bernie Gunther, a former Berlin cop, takes on a case to clear the name of an old acquaintance accused of murder.
The city is in ruins, and the atmosphere is tense with Cold War politics and lingering wartime secrets. Bernie navigates a world filled with deceit and corruption, uncovering connections between the case and powerful figures.
The story paints a vivid picture of a shattered Austria and the shadowy dealings of its time.
Margit Söderholm wrote “Meeting in Vienna,” a novel set in the vibrant backdrop of Vienna after World War II. The story follows a Swedish journalist who travels to the city and becomes involved with a group of characters caught up in political intrigue and personal struggles.
The novel highlights Vienna’s atmosphere during this time, capturing the tensions and emotions of a city piecing itself back together.
Sarah Gainham wrote “Night Falls on the City,” a story set in Vienna during World War II. The novel follows a famous actress, Julia Homburg, as she secretly shelters her Jewish husband after the Nazis take control.
The book captures the fear and uncertainty of life under occupation, while showing Julia’s struggle to navigate the dangers around her. It paints a vivid picture of Vienna during this dark time, with its tensions and betrayals.
The book “The Star of Kazan” by Eva Ibbotson takes place in early 20th-century Vienna, where a girl named Annika, adopted by kind housemaids, dreams of discovering her real family.
Her life changes when a woman shows up claiming to be her mother, taking her to a mysterious estate. It’s a story filled with charm, secrets, and a love for Austria’s atmosphere.
Franz Werfel wrote “Class Reunion,” a novel about a man named Ernst Sebastian, who attends a reunion with his old schoolmates.
The story unravels around his memories of their youth at a military academy, where ideals, friendships, and trouble from their strict headmaster shaped their lives.
As the reunion unfolds, the connections between past choices and present realities create a striking reflection on how people change over time.
“February Shadows” by Elisabeth Reichart is set in Austria after World War II and explores the long-lasting effects of the Holocaust on a small community. The story follows a young woman who slowly uncovers hidden truths about her family’s role during the war.
As she pieces together the past, the weight of guilt and the silence surrounding these events come to light in a deeply personal and emotional way.
Eva Ibbotson’s “A Song for Summer” takes readers to a picturesque Austrian boarding school just before World War II. The story follows Ellen, an Englishwoman who embraces her role as housemother for the eccentric school.
She becomes close to the students and staff, particularly Marek, a mysterious man with a secretive past. As the war looms, the peaceful life they’ve built begins to unravel, forcing Ellen and Marek to face difficult choices.
The story captures the beauty of Austria and the tensions of a changing world.
Marlen Haushofer wrote “We Murder Stella,” a short and intense novel that explores guilt and silence within a family. The story focuses on Anna, a housewife who reflects on her role in the tragic fate of a young woman named Stella.
Stella, taken in by Anna’s family, disrupts their carefully controlled life. Her vulnerability and naivety expose the unspoken flaws in their relationships. The book paints a haunting picture of how people ignore the truth to preserve their comfort.
“Confession of a Murderer” by Joseph Roth is framed as a stranger’s confession in a smoky Parisian tavern. The man recounts his life, marked by betrayal and a twisted love-hate obsession with a rival.
His tale includes a complex relationship with a mentor figure and the shadowy world of conspiracy, revenge, and exile. The story offers a dark and fascinating look into one man’s inner turmoil and the paths that shaped his fate.
Thomas Glavinic’s “Carl Haffner’s Love of the Draw” is about a chess prodigy named Carl Haffner, a quiet and humble man in turn-of-the-century Vienna. The story focuses on his life and his match against the world champion.
It highlights his struggles, both personal and financial, while capturing the atmosphere of pre-World War I Europe. The book gives a glimpse into Haffner’s character, especially his unwavering devotion to the game of chess, even when faced with hardship.
“Florian: The Emperor’s Stallion” by Felix Salten tells the story of a Lipizzaner horse named Florian. The novel follows his journey from being one of the emperor’s prized stallions to facing the hardships of war and separation.
Through Florian’s eyes, readers get a glimpse of life in imperial Austria, as well as the bond between humans and animals during times of change.
“Come, Sweet Death” by Wolf Haas is a darkly humorous crime novel set in Vienna. The story follows Simon Brenner, a former police detective who now works as an ambulance driver.
He gets pulled into a mystery when a woman dies under suspicious circumstances during an ambulance trip. Brenner’s investigation takes him through Vienna’s strange characters and secrets, blending wit and suspense in unexpected ways.
Thomas Glavinic’s “Night Work” follows Jonas, a man who wakes up to find himself completely alone in his city. Everyone else has vanished without explanation, leaving him to navigate an eerily silent world.
As he searches for answers, strange events begin to unfold, taking him to unsettling and unexpected places. The story digs into isolation and fear, creating a sense of unease that lingers.
“The Standard” by Alexander Lernet-Holenia is set during the outbreak of World War I. The story follows a young cavalry officer, Count Resch, who becomes entangled in a doomed love affair with a married woman while facing the upheaval of war.
Torn between duty and desire, he grapples with the stark changes both in his personal life and in the world around him.
The novel paints a vivid picture of Austria-Hungary at the brink of collapse, showing a society caught in the tension between old traditions and an uncertain future.
John Irving wrote “Setting Free the Bears,” a novel that follows two young men, Siggy and Hannes, as they embark on a road trip across Austria on a motorcycle. Along the way, they plan a grand scheme to release the animals from the Vienna Zoo.
The story weaves between their journey and Siggy’s personal history, wrestling with Austria’s past during World War II. The mix of humor and heartbreak gives the book a unique feel, and the characters’ wild ideas make for a memorable story.
Sarah Gainham’s “Time Right Deadly” is a mystery set in postwar Vienna. The story follows an English journalist as he becomes entangled in the murder of a nightclub singer. The city, still recovering from the war’s devastation, serves as a tense backdrop to the investigation.
Gainham weaves the atmosphere of uncertainty and distrust into the narrative, adding to its intrigue.
“Josefine Mutzenbacher” is a controversial novel published in 1906 that tells the story of Josefine, a woman reflecting on her life in 19th-century Vienna. The book explores her experiences growing up in poverty and her journey into the world of prostitution.
It is written as her personal account, offering a candid and raw look at her life and the society around her.