Josef Winkler's New Novel Explores Family, Death, and Austrian Homeland Through Sister's Portrait

Austrian author Josef Winkler has published a new novel titled 'Das Glück ist ein Engel mit ernstem Gesicht' through Suhrkamp Verlag in Berlin. The 432-page work represents a departure from his earlier confrontational style toward Austrian patriarchal figures, instead focusing on affection for his deceased older sister Maria, known as Mitzele. Set in Winkler's native village of Kamering in Carinthia, the autobiographical narrative revisits the author's childhood memories, including being held as a child to view his grandmother's open coffin with the instruction to confront mortality. The novel intertwines personal family history with broader themes of Catholicism, rural life, and Austria's Nazi past, referencing local historical figures like SS officer Odilo Globocnik. Winkler portrays his sister's mental illness and visions with empathy, contrasting her experiences with his own outsider status as a homosexual writer in the conservative village. The book continues Winkler's literary examination of Austrian identity while shifting from rebellion toward intimate familial connection. Publication occurred in 2026 with the novel serving as both a memorial to Maria Winkler and a continuation of the author's decades-long exploration of Austrian society.