Westwärts 1 & 2

  • One of the most influential works of modern German literature.
  • Now in an expanded edition for Brinkmann’s 50th anniversary on April 23, 2025.
  • Featuring numerous unpublished poems and an afterword by Michael Töteberg.

Westwärts 1 & 2 made a huge impact when it was published in May 1975. It was the first book by enfant terrible Rolf Dieter Brinkmann in years and came out just days after his tragic death in a car accident. Since then, the poetry collection has become a classic. But the original edition was incomplete – Brinkmann had to cut poems and remove his afterword. A more complete version was not published until 2005.

Now, for the 50th anniversary of his death, an exciting discovery has been made. Brinkmann’s archive contained many more poems that were meant to be part of the book. His biographer, Michael Töteberg, sheds light on these findings in a new afterword.

"This is a highly personal book, breaking with literary conventions. It can be read as a collection of poetry, prose, or essays." Rolf Dieter Brinkmann

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  • Publisher: Rowohlt Hardcover
  • Release: 18.02.2025
  • ISBN: 978-3-498-00774-4
  • 448 Pages
  • Author: Rolf Dieter Brinkmann

Awards

  • 2025: empfohlen - Buch des Monats der Stadt Darmstadt

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Buchcover von Westwärts 1 & 2: Erweiterte Neuausgabe
Rolf Dieter Brinkmann Westwärts 1 & 2
Portrait von Rolf Dieter Brinkmann
© ullstein bild – B. Friedrich
Rolf Dieter Brinkmann

Rolf Dieter Brinkmann, born in 1940 in Vechta, lived in Cologne after completing his education and a bookselling apprenticeship. Brinkmann brought the American Underground prose to prominence in Germany and became the leading Underground poet within Germany. His numerous publications include, amongst others, Still Photos, Explorations to Summarise the Sentiments behind a Revolt, and Rome. Gazes. His prose Magnum Opus Westwards 1 and 2 was awarded the Petrarca Prize posthumously in 1975. Brinkmann died in 1975 in a car accident in London.