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The Piano Teacher

by Elfriede Jelinek, Joachim Neugroschel

Format:	Paperback 288 pages

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Synopsis

A haunting tale of morbid voyeurism and masochism, "The Piano Teacher" is one of the greatest contemporary European novels. Erika Kohut teaches piano at the Vienna Conservatory by day. But by night she trawls the porn shows of Vienna while her mother, whom she loves and hates in equal measure, waits up for her. Into this emotional pressure-cooker bounds music student and ladies' man, Walter Klemmer. With Walter as her student, Erika spirals out of control, consumed by the ecstacy of self-destruction. First published in 1983, "The Piano Teacher" is the masterpiece of Elfriede Jelinek, Austria's most famous writer. Directed by Michael Haneke, the film won three major prizes at the Cannes 2000 Festival including best actor for Benoit Magimel and best actress for Isabelle Huppert.

Book details

Published
08/11/2001

Publisher
Serpent's Tail

ISBN
9781852427504

Publisher and industry reviews

Jacket review

'A brilliant, deadly book' Elizabeth Young 'Moves impressively across that psychic terrain which is born out of maternal fear, fear of the world outside and of the body, and fear of the loss of control' Independent 'A dazzling perfomance that will make the blood run cold' Walter Abish

UK Kirkus review

This truly unusual book tells the story of Erika Kohut, an Austrian piano teacher whose daily life is controlled by her domineering mother. While her mother waits impatiently at home each night, Erika seeks release by attending Viennese porn shows, leading her into a surreal world where the ultimate solution to her frustration seems to be self-destruction. For an idiosyncratic journey into a highly inventive imagination, Jelinek is a worthy guide. (Kirkus UK)