Anne Duden, ‘übergang’ (1982)

Abstract Anne Duden has been acclaimed as one of the most innovative writers of her generation, her distinctive poetic voice combining political engagement with experimental form. When her first major publications appeared in the 1980s the appeal of her writing to a feminist readership was readily understood. The linked themes of violence against women, the horror of the Holocaust, and fears of ecological catastrophe reflected a wider cultural pessimism which resonated with many women readers. In terms of feminine aesthetics, her poetic prose style could be described as ecriture feminine, its rhythmic patterns and play with ambiguity pointing beyond the symbolic dimension of language. Given the relentless and often disturbing focus on the body in her work, Duden’s writing also lends itself to postmodern readings concerned with sexual difference and embodiment. In fact, the reception of Duden’s first prose collection