Night Train — Friederike Mayrocker

More than an account of a train trip from Paris to Vienna, Night Train depicts a journey through life, as conceived by the female narrator. In poetic prose that is as magical as it is honest, the speaker reflects on issues such as time, childhood, and the process of aging. In light of our ultimate destination of death, the question reverts to what it means to be alive. Life is seen as an opportunity for self-development, that is, for creativity coupled with sexuality, which for an author means writing.