Swiss Author Thomas Hürlimann Reflects on Life, Loss, and Returning Home

Swiss author Thomas Hürlimann, born December 21, 1950, never envisioned returning to his hometown of Walchwil. However, life’s unexpected turns, including a battle with cancer, led him back to the place he once sought to escape. At 75, Hürlimann shares his reflections on a life marked by travel, artistic pursuits, and a complex relationship with his roots.

Early Life and a Desire to Escape

Hürlimann was born in Zug, Switzerland, the son of Hans Hürlimann, a former government and federal councilor.¹ His mother, Marie-Theres Duft, came from a prominent political family in St. Gallen.⁴ He attended a strict Catholic convent school in Einsiedeln, describing it as a “Catholic barracks” with a cold, regimented atmosphere.⁴ This experience fueled a desire for a different life, one far removed from the confines of his upbringing.

Wanderlust and Artistic Beginnings

After graduating from high school, Hürlimann embarked on a journey with friends through Africa and along the “hippie trails” to Kathmandu.⁴ Returning to Zurich, a romantic relationship’s end prompted a move to West Berlin in 1974, a city then divided by the Berlin Wall.⁴ He began his career as a writer that same year, a decision he described as “the happiest of his life.”³

A Prolific Career and Literary Recognition

Hürlimann has authored numerous novels and plays, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the human condition. His works have been translated into 21 languages.¹ Notable works include Die Tessinerin (1981), Das Gartenhaus (1989) – published as The Couple in the United States in 1991 – and Der rote Diamant (2022).¹

Throughout his career, Hürlimann has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Aspekte-Literaturpreis (1981), the Marieluise-Fleisser-Preis (1992), the Schillerpreis (2007), and the Thomas Mann Prize (2011).¹

Returning to Walchwil

Despite his initial desire to leave his hometown behind, Hürlimann found himself drawn back to Walchwil later in life. A cancer diagnosis prompted a return, and he now resides there as of 2026.⁴ He reflects on the changes he observes in his surroundings, acknowledging a sense of unfamiliarity with the place he once knew so well.

Archival Legacy

The complete archives of Thomas Hürlimann’s work have been transferred to the Swiss Literary Archive in Bern.³ The collection, encompassing manuscripts, correspondence, and unpublished materials, is housed alongside documents related to his father’s political career in the Swiss Federal Archives.³