Bettina Balàka (born 1966) is an Austrian novelist, poet, essayist, playwright and short story writer. Recent novels include ''Eisflüstern'' (The Whisper of Ice, 2006), ''Kassiopeia'' (2010) and ''Unter Menschen'' (Among People, 2014).

Biography

Born on 27 March 1966 in Salzburg, Balàka studied English and Italian at the Institut für Übersetzer- und Dolmetscherausbildung (Institute for Translation and Interpreting Studies) in Vienna, earning a master's degree in 1991. Her studies included extended trips to Britain and the United States. She has since worked as a freelance writer and translator in Vienna. In addition to her novels, poetry, drama and radio plays, Balàka has frequently contributed to literary journals and anthologies. She lives with her daughter in Vienna. Her novel ''Eisflüstern'', the story of a soldier returning from war, is one of the few Austrian thrillers set during the turning point of the First World War with the collapse of the

Austrian Habsburgs The term Habsburg Austria may refer to the lands ruled by the Austrian branch of the Habsburgs, or the historical Austria. Depending on the context, it may be defined as: * The Duchy of Austria, after 1453 the Archduchy of Austria * The ''Erbland ...

and the establishment of a new republic. ''Unter Menschen'' is a humorous yet sad tale tracing a dog's experiences of a series of different owners. ''Die Prinzessin von Arborio'' tells how a restaurant owner who has committed three murders is interrogated by a psychologist who falls in love with her. The Austrian newspaper '' Kurier'' quotes the author's explanation: "I'm a very curious person. That's why I always look for new themes. In ''Die Prinzessin von Arborio'' I've chosen criminal psychology,

hybristophilia Hybristophilia is a sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crimes, a paraphilia in which sexual arousal, facilitation, and attainment of orgasm are responsive to and contingent upon being with a partner known to have committed a cri ...

, and falling in love as the most beautiful form of psychosis."

Awards

Balàka's many awards include the Salzburger Lyrikpreis (Salzburg Poetry Prize, 2006) und the Friedrich-Schiedel- Literaturpreis (Friedrich Schiedel Literature Prize, 2008).

Selected publications

The following publications are all in German: * ''Die dunkelste Frucht.'' Poetry. (Lyrik aus Österreich. Band 60). G. Grasl, Baden bei Wien 1994, . * ''Krankengeschichten.'' Short stories, Droschl, Graz 1996, . * ''Road movies. 9 Versuche aufzubrechen.'' Short stories. Droschl, Graz 1998, . * ''Der langangehaltene Atem.'' Novel. Droschl, Graz 2000, . * ''Messer.'' Essay. Droschl, Graz 2000, . * ''Im Packeis.'' Poetry. Deuticke, Vienna 2001, . * ''Dissoziationen. Gedichte aus Pflanzen und Vögeln.'' Poetry. Resistenz, Linz/Vienna 2002, . * ''Unter Jägern.'' Short stories. Droschl, Graz 2002, . * ''Eisflüstern.'' Novel. Droschl, Graz/Vienna 2006, . * ''Schaumschluchten.'' Poetry. Droschl, Graz/Vienna 2009, . * ''Auf offenem Meer.'' Short stories. Haymon Verlag, Innsbruck 2010, . * ''Kassiopeia.'' Novel. Haymon Verlag, Innsbruck 2012, . (June 2012: ORF best seller list) * ''Unter Menschen.'' Novel. Haymon Verlag, Innsbruck 2014, . * ''Die Prinzessin von Arborio.'' Novel. Haymon Verlag, Innsbruck 2016, .

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balaka, Bettina 1966 births Writers from Salzburg 21st-century Austrian novelists Austrian women novelists 20th-century Austrian poets Austrian women poets Place of birth missing (living people) Living people 21st-century Austrian poets 21st-century Austrian women writers 20th-century Austrian women writers