Herbstmilch (novel)

Herbstmilch (English: Autumn Milk) is the German autobiography of a previously unknown peasant woman, Anna Wimschneider (1919-1993), published in 1985, written in simple, everyday language. Although it is the autobiography of an unknown, 'ordinary' person, the book became a huge bestseller and remained in the bestseller charts for three years.

The title derives from the Bavarian word for a type of fermented milk, of which a soup is made.

Story

Wimschneider tells of the hard conditions in which she grew up, on a farm. In 1927, at the age of 8, after her mother's death, she had to look after her family of 9. She later married Albert Wilmschneider, but he was then conscripted and went off to war, leaving Anna to look after their farm, together with her mother-in-law.

Film

The book was made into a film in 1988 by Joseph Vilsmaier (his first film) with his wife Dana Vavrova and Werner Stocker, with music by Enjott Schneider.

The film was awarded prizes at the 39th Film Prize in Berlin: the silver Filmband for the film and the golden Filmband for new talent for the leading actress Dana Vávrová. It also won new talent awards for Dana Vávrová and Werner Stocker at the 10th Bavarian film prize.

The film was also a great box-office success, with over two million viewers.

References

IMDb (see Weblinks)

External links

• Herbstmilch at IMDb