About Buildings + Cities 77 — WG Sebald's 'Austerlitz' — 1/2 — In the Nocturama
Jan 31, 2021
Delve into W.G. Sebald's haunting novel 'Austerlitz,' where memory and architecture intertwine in profound ways. The journey of Jacques Austerlitz reveals the complexities of his childhood and historical trauma, especially pertaining to the Holocaust. Reflect on the challenges of the Kindertransport initiative and its mixed legacy. Explore the beautiful yet devastating landscapes that shape personal identities and collective histories. The discussion illuminates how architecture serves as a poignant metaphor for lost memories and the weight of history.
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Narrator's Antwerp Experience
- The narrator arrives in Antwerp and feels unwell, seeking refuge in the zoo's Nocturama.
- He becomes fixated on a raccoon washing an apple, symbolizing an attempt to escape an unreal world.
Austerlitz: An Architectural Novel
- W.G. Sebald's "Austerlitz" follows an architectural historian rediscovering his past.
- The novel explores spaces, memories, and history through architectural lenses.
Sebald's Readership
- Sebald's writing resonates with architects and young readers.
- Known as a "sad young man's book," it explores themes of space, history, and imagination.
