Adam Erlich Sachs on Heinrich von Kleist’s Michael Kohlhaas
The Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast features a series of conversations with past and present Windham-Campbell Prize winners about their favorite books and plays. Hosted by Michael Kelleher.
The Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast is a series of conversations featuring past and present winners of the Windham-Campbell Prize, a literary award given to writers in recognition of their achievements. The podcast is hosted by Michael Kelleher, who guides discussions about the winners' favorite books and plays. The 2026 season concluded with an episode featuring Adam Erlich Sachs, a writer and one of the prize recipients. The podcast aims to highlight significant literary works and the voices of their creators, providing listeners with insights into contemporary literature and the creative processes behind notable texts.
The final episode of the 2026 season of the Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast centers on a discussion between host Michael Kelleher and Adam Erlich Sachs. The conversation revolves around Sachs' favorite book, Michael Kohlhaas by Heinrich von Kleist, a 19th-century German writer. Michael Kohlhaas is a novella published in 1810, known for its exploration of justice, vengeance, and the complexities of human morality. The episode likely delves into why Sachs admires this work, its themes, and its relevance to contemporary audiences. The discussion is part of the podcast's broader mission to connect listeners with influential literary texts and their authors.
Michael Kelleher serves as the host of the Windham-Campbell Prizes Podcast, guiding conversations with literary figures. In the final 2026 episode, he interviews Adam Erlich Sachs, who is both a guest and a recipient of the Windham-Campbell Prize. The prize is awarded annually to writers in fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry, with winners receiving an unrestricted cash prize of $165,000. Sachs' participation in the podcast highlights his role as both a celebrated author and a contributor to literary discourse, offering listeners a chance to hear his perspectives on a work he holds in high regard.
*Michael Kohlhaas* is a novella written by Heinrich von Kleist, a German author active in the early 19th century. Published in 1810, the story follows the titular character, Michael Kohlhaas, a horse trader who seeks justice after being wronged by a nobleman. The novella is renowned for its examination of themes such as the abuse of power, the limits of the law, and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals when seeking retribution. Kleist's work is often studied for its psychological depth and its critique of societal structures, making it a significant text in German literature.
