1953
The novel “And Never Said a Word” is published to overwhelmingly positive reviews. The book goes on to win a number of awards.
1954
The Böll family moves into their own house in the Müngersdorf district of Cologne. The novel “House without Guardians” (also known in English as “Tomorrow and Yesterday”) is published. First trip to Ireland.
1955
The novella “The Bread of Those Early Years” published.
1956
Böll gives his first major public speech on the occasion of the “Week of Brotherliness”, an event organised by the ‘Societies for Christian-Jewish Collaboration’.
1957
Böll’s “Irish Diary” is published, parts of which had been serialised since 1954.
1958
The short story collection “Murke's Collected Silences” published.
1959
The novel “Billiards at Half-Past Nine”, considered to be one of Böll’s major works, published.