This anthology fundamental to know the former German Democratic Republic in the work of some of its most important writers book. Probably never in recent history, and in any country, has enjoyed literature such a prominent role, not only by the priority which gave the government and the facilities that it entailed (generous scholarships and awards, funded publishing market, thrown wide and reduced prices, privileges to access housing or a visa), but the relevance attached to it by readers themselves. In a country without free press or debate beyond the limits set by the Party, contemporary literature was almost the only public space where I could take some contrasting opinions on current issues; other private discussion forums, millions of well-educated citizens applied to scrutinize allusions between the lines and developed a literary sensibility that would have been unthinkable in their Western neighbors; and like most writers believed in a committed, able to influence social processes literature, a uniquely fertile constellation is generated for literature, elevated to level of dialogue between the author (writers) and society (readers) .

The lucidity of many of these texts is today, without doubt, overwhelming. As well as its quality. And it requires rewriting the twentieth century literary canon as soon as possible: here a number of secrets about writers to readers in Spanish that are revealed as essential now.

And beyond the many excellent books that produced the literature of the GDR, the study of this peculiar country whose lessons can be drawn today has not expired on literature, its role and embeddedness.