Major Works:
- Die Geschlagenen (1949), a novel about the experiences of a group of German soldiers in the Second World War.
- Du sollst nicht töten (1951), a novel about a young man's struggle with his conscience after he kills an American soldier.
- Sie fielen aus Gottes Hand (1951), a collection of short stories about the war.
- Spuren im Sand (1960), a novel about a man's search for meaning in his life.
- Der Hund (1961), a novel about a man's relationship with his dog.
- Die Stunde der falschen Triumphe (1963), a novel about the rise of the Nazis.
- Die Zeit der großen Täuschungen (1965), a novel about the Second World War.
- Die Stunde der wahren Siege (1967), a novel about the post-war period.
Awards and Honors:
- Fontane Prize (1950)
- Carl von Ossietzky Medal (1958)
- Peace Prize of the German Book Trade (1962)
- Federal Cross of Merit (1973)
- Bavarian Order of Merit (1983)
- Goethe Medal (1984)
- National Prize of East Germany (1988)