The Greatest Austrian Literature
This selection of Austrian literature encompasses all literary forms, genres and periods. It includes works acclaimed by readers, writers, critics and scholars in Austria and around the world.
The Greatest Austrian Literature focuses on major the country's creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays, long poetry and collections.
You may also be interested in The Greatest Eastern European Literature or The Greatest German Literature.
This list is updated as new works are discovered and appreciation of older works evolves. Please note the revision date when citing the list.
Latest update: October 2, 2025
The 33 greatest works of Austrian literature
1857
Indian Summer
by Adalbert Stifter, Austria
Novel, originally Nachsommer
1870
Venus in Furs
by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Austria
Novella, originally Venus im Pelz
1900
None but the Brave
by Arthur Schnitzler, Austria
Novella
1906
The Confusions of Young Törless
by Robert Musil, Austria
Novel, also known as Young Törless
1910
The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge
by Rainer Maria Rilke, Austria
Novel
1916
Metamorphosis
by Franz Kafka, Austria
Novella, originally Die Verwandlung
1922
Amok
by Stefan Zweig, Austria
Novella
1923
Duino Elegies
by Rainer Maria Rilke, Austria
Poetry collection
1923
Sonnets to Orpheus
by Rainer Maria Rilke, Austria
Poetry collection, originally Die Sonette an Orpheus
1925
The Trial
by Franz Kafka, Austria
Novel, originally Das Schloß
1926
Dream Story
by Arthur Schnitzler, Austria
Novella, originally Traumnovelle
1926
The Castle
by Franz Kafka, Austria
Novel
1927
Amerika
by Franz Kafka, Austria
Novel
1927
Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Woman
by Stefan Zweig, Austria
Novella
1928
The Sufferings of Prince Sternenhoch
by Ladislav Klima, Austria
Novel, originally Utrpení knížete Sternenhocha
1930–1932
The Sleepwalkers
by Hermann Broch, Austria
Novel, originally Die Schlafwandler, in three volumes: The Romantic, The Anarchist, and The Realist
1930–1943
The Man Without Qualities
by Robert Musil, Austria
Novel, originally Der Mann ohne Eigenschaften
1932
Radetzky March
by Joseph Roth, Austria
Novel, originally Radetzkymarsch
1935
Auto-da-Fé
by Elias Canetti, Austria
Novel, also known as The Tower of Babeloriginally Die Blendung
1941
Chess Story
by Stefan Zweig, Austria
Novella, also known as The Royal Game
1945
The Death of Virgil
by Hermann Broch, Austria
Novel, originally Der Tod des Vergil
1950
The Guiltless
by Hermann Broch, Austria
Novel, originally Die Schuldlosen
1967
Kaspar
by Peter Handke, Austria
Play
1975
Correction
by Thomas Bernhard, Austria
Novel, originally Korrektur
1976
The Left-Handed Woman
by Peter Handke, Austria
Novel, originally Die linkshändige Frau
1977
The Tongue Set Free
by Elias Canetti, Austria
Novel, originally Die Gerettete Zunge
1983
The Piano Teacher
by Elfriede Jelinek, Austria
Novel, originally Die Klavierspielerin
1984
Woodcutters
by Thomas Bernhard, Austria
Novel, originally Holzfällen
1985
Old Masters: A Comedy
by Thomas Bernhard, Austria
Novel
1986
Extinction
by Thomas Bernhard, Austria
Novel
1989
Lust
by Elfriede Jelinek, Austria
Novel, originally Rowohlt
2001
A Sorrow Beyond Dreams
by Peter Handke, Austria
Novella
2002
The Wall
by Marlen Haushofer, Austria
Novel
