Gunter Grass

Date of Birth: October 16, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: April 13, 2015

Biography

Günter Wilhelm Grass was a German novelist, poet, playwright, illustrator, graphic artist, and sculptor. He was born on October 16, 1927, in the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland). Grass is widely regarded as one of the most significant German-language writers of the 20th century. He is best known for his first novel, “The Tin Drum” (1959), which is considered a key text in European magic realism and was adapted into an Oscar-winning film in 1979. Grass’s work often delved into the complexities of German and European history, particularly the impacts of World War II. Having been a member of the Hitler Youth and later drafted into the Waffen-SS, Grass’s own turbulent past provided a rich tapestry for his literary explorations. His confessions about his wartime service, revealed in his autobiographical book “Peeling the Onion” (2006), stirred significant controversy. In 1999, Grass was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his “frolicsome black fables [that] portray the forgotten face of history.” Beyond his literary pursuits, Grass was a politically active figure, frequently engaging in debates on social and political issues, and remained a vocal critic of various governmental policies throughout his life.

5 Interesting Facts about Gunter Grass

1. Günter Grass was a skilled visual artist and often illustrated his own books.

2. His novel “The Tin Drum” was banned in several countries for its controversial content.

3. Grass’s revelation about his service in the Waffen-SS during World War II came only in 2006, causing significant public outcry.

4. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1999, which significantly boosted his international profile.

5. Grass was an active member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany and participated in numerous political campaigns.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gunter Grass

1. “Art is accusation, expression, passion. Art is a fight to the finish between black charcoal and white paper.”

2. “Even bad books are books and therefore sacred.”

3. “I was silent as a child and silenced as a young man; I am still recovering my voice.”

4. “I believe that nostalgia has a very bad reputation in Germany. The reason is clear – it is not easy to remain nostalgic about Nazism.”

5. “Writers have to keep on writing if they want to mature, like caterpillars endlessly chewing on leaves.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Günter Grass’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Günter Grass had four children: two sons and two daughters. His children often stayed away from the public eye, maintaining private lives despite their father’s fame.