Repetition (Handke novel)

Repetition (German: Die Wiederholung) is a novel by Peter Handke, published in 1986. It tells the story of Philipp Kobal, a Slovene-Austrian translator living in Klagenfurt who travels to Slovenia in search of his older brother, Gregor. Gregor had left home many years earlier and stopped communicating with his family.

Philipp's journey becomes a quest for identity, exploring themes of language, memory, and belonging. As he retraces his brother's steps, he encounters various individuals and experiences that mirror or echo events from his own past, creating a sense of repetition and recurrence. These repetitions extend beyond mere coincidence; they delve into the cyclical nature of life and the enduring impact of the past on the present.

The novel employs Handke's characteristic minimalist prose style, emphasizing observation and detail. The landscape of Carinthia and Slovenia plays a significant role, reflecting Philipp's inner state and contributing to the overall atmosphere of the narrative.

Repetition is considered a key work in Handke's oeuvre, exploring themes central to his writing and reflecting his interest in the relationship between language, perception, and reality. The novel is notable for its complex narrative structure, its exploration of Slovene identity within an Austrian context, and its profound meditation on the nature of time and memory.