On the basis of her novels Leben und Abenteuer der Troubadour Beatriz nach Zeugnissen ihrer Spielfrau Laura: Roman in dreizehn Büchern und sieben Intermezzos (Life and Adventures of the Troubadour Beatriz as Chronicled by Her Minstrel Laura, 1974) and Amanda: Ein Hexenroman (1983), Irmtraud Morgner must be considered one of the outstanding narrative talents in German literature today. She combines the tradition of romantic imagination and poetic theory with that of the picaresque novel in works that are often fantastic or whimsical but at other times strongly realistic. Portrayals of life and personalities in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) are interwoven with imaginary figures and scenes drawn from various literary traditions to highlight the shortcomings of present conditions, particularly regarding relationships between the sexes, or to present utopian models yet to be achieved. The seriousness of her concern with questions of war and peace, society, and technological development...