Germany's Top Lit Prize
June 8, 2007
Born in 1951, Martin has published novels, stories, and collections of poems, written scripts for several films, opera libretti, theatre and radio plays.
The German Academy for Language and Literature praised him for "combining stylistic splendor with original story-telling that demonstrates a humourous awareness of history."
Among his works translated into English is "The Heresy of Formlessness" -- a collection of essays on the liturgy and its recent reform told from the perspective of a literary writer.
A variety of works
The book argues for a return to the Tridentine rite of the Mass, which was in use prior to Pope Paul VI's promulgation of the new order of the Mass in 1969.
Other works include "The Turkish Woman," "The Tremor," "The Long Night" and "Prince of Mist," in which the author examines the motives behind man's eternal search for meaning.
The prize, named after 19th century author Georg Büchner, is worth 40,000 euros ($53,600). It will be presented to Mosebach on Oct. 27.