W.G. Sebald's Austerlitz is a deeply moving exploration of memory, history, and identity. Critics praise its lyrical prose and evocative imagery, though some find its dense, digressive narrative challenging. The novel's blend of fiction and autobiography is lauded for its originality, though its melancholy tone may not appeal to all readers.

A reader who would enjoy Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald appreciates introspective, historical fiction heavy with memory and identity themes. Comparable to works like The Emigrants by Sebald or The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, this audience favors dense, reflective narratives that intertwine personal history with broader historical events.

Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald follows Jacques Austerlitz, an architectural historian who recounts his life story to an unnamed narrator. Evacuated as a Jewish child from Czechoslovakia in 1939, Austerlitz is raised in Wales by foster parents who never speak of his past. As an adult, he uncovers his family's fate during the Holocaust, revealing fragments of his repressed history. Topics related to World War II and the Holocaust are presented.

Melancholic / Contemplative / Mysterious / Nostalgic / Bittersweet

- Austerlitz is known for its distinctive narrative style, which combines photographs alongside the text to create a unique reading experience, blurring the lines between fiction and documentary.
- The novel is partly inspired by the Kindertransport, a rescue effort that saved thousands of predominantly Jewish children from Nazi-occupied territories before WWII.
- W.G. Sebald, the author of Austerlitz, was a prominent figure in contemporary literature, blending themes of memory and history, which resonates deeply with readers and critics alike.

**Jacques Austerlitz**  
The protagonist, adopted by the Elias family and raised in Wales, who spends much of his life searching for his history and understanding his unique name's significance.

**Marie de Verneuil**  
A French architectural historian whom Austerlitz meets in Paris, characterized by her wealth, familial connections, and the meaningful story she shares with Austerlitz about a French paper mill.

**Gerald Fitzpatrick**  
A younger boarding school friend of Austerlitz, whose homesickness and attempt at arson resonate with Austerlitz’s own sense of displacement.

**Agáta Austerlitzová**  
Austerlitz's mother, a Czech Jewish opera singer whose decision to send Austerlitz to England before the Nazi invasion highlights her hopeful demeanor.

**Vera Ryšanová**  
Austerlitz’s former nanny and a friend of his parents, who provides him with concrete memories and connections to his early childhood in Prague.

W.G. Sebald

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Austerlitz reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Austerlitz | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Austerlitz and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Austerlitz Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Pages 21-50

Austerlitz Pages 21-50 Summary & Analysis

Pages 51-82

Austerlitz Pages 51-82 Summary & Analysis

Pages 83-113

Austerlitz Pages 83-113 Summary & Analysis

Pages 114-132

Austerlitz Pages 114-132 Summary & Analysis

Pages 133-158

Austerlitz Pages 133-158 Summary & Analysis

Pages 159-201

Austerlitz Pages 159-201 Summary & Analysis

Pages 202-244

Austerlitz Pages 202-244 Summary & Analysis

Pages 245-275

Austerlitz Pages 245-275 Summary & Analysis

Pages 276-290

Austerlitz Pages 276-290 Summary & Analysis

Pages 291-310

Austerlitz Pages 291-310 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Austerlitz Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Austerlitz Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Austerlitz Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Austerlitz Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Austerlitz Essay Topics

Austerlitz

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Austerlitz?

Reading Age

Book Details