This volume is the first to address the culture of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) as a historical entity, but also to trace the afterlife of East Germany in the decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall. An international team of outstanding scholars offers essential and thought-provoking essays, combining a chronological and genre-based overview from the beginning of the GDR in 1949 to the unification in 1990 and beyond, with in-depth analysis of individual works. A final chapter traces the resonance of the GDR in the years since its demise and analyses the fascination it engenders. The volume provides a 'rereading' of East Germany and its legacy as a cultural phenomenon free from the prejudices that prevailed while it existed, offering English translations throughout, a guide to further reading and a chronology.

Chronology; Introduction Karen Leeder; 1. The GDR: an overview Wolfgang Emmerich; 2. Resurrected from the ruins: the emergence of GDR culture Stephen Brockmann; 3. DEFA's antifascist myths and the construction of national identity in East German cinema Seán Allan; 4. From 'Faust Part 3' to 'Germania 3': drama in the GDR Holder Teschke; 5. Autobiographical writing in the GDR era Dennis Tate; 6. Gender in GDR literature Georgina Paul; 7. Negotiating the politics and aesthetics of satire: satirical novels in the GDR and beyond Jill E. Twark; 8. The politics of dialogue: poetry in the GDR Gerrit-Jan Berendse; 9. Underground literature? The unofficial culture of the GDR and its development after the Wende Birgit Dahlke; 10. Tinker, tailor, writer, spy: literature and the Stasi Alison Lewis; 11. Intellectuals and the Wende: missed opportunities and dashed hopes Carol Anne Costabile-Heming; 12. After-images - afterlives: remembering the GDR in the Berlin Republic Karen Leeder; Guide to further reading.