Born in Warsaw in 1964. 
Has lived in Vienna since 1976.
Studied Philosophy at the University of Vienna, various casual jobs.
His first major success as an author came in 1994 with Franio, a collection of stories; since then a free-lance writer. In 2008 his novel Herrn Kukas Empfehlungen (Mr Kuka’s Recommendations) was made into a film.

Prizes and awards include:
1993: Prize of the City of Vienna for Literature 
1994: Literature Prize awarded by Aspekte, the cultural magazine programme of ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen/Second German Television Channel) 
2001 and 2009: Adalbert von Chamisso Prize for Immigrant Literature in German

Books include:
- Franio. Erzählungen. Vorw.: Stanislaw Lem. Wien: Deuticke, 1994.
- Herrn Kukas Empfehlungen. (Mr Kuka’s Recommendations). Munich, Piper, 1999.
- Papiertiger. (Paper Tiger). A Story in Five Episodes. Munich, Piper, 2003.
- Gebrauchsanweisung für Polen. (Instructions for the Use of Poland). Munich, Piper, 2005.
- Reise nach Kalino. (Journey to Kalino). Munich, Piper, 2012.