
In nine luminous stories of love and loss, loneliness and hope, Judith Hermann's stunning debut collection paints a vivid and poignant picture of a generation ready and anxious to turn their back on the past, to risk uncertainty in search of a fresh, if fragile, equilibrium. An international bestseller and translated into twelve languages, Summerhouse, Later heralds the arrival of one of Germanys most arresting new literary talents.A restless man hopes to find permanence in the purchase of a summerhouse outside Berlin. A young girl, trapped in a paralyzing web of family stories and secrets, finally manages to break free. A granddaughter struggles to lay her grandmother's ghosts to rest. A successful and simplistic artist becomes inexplicably obsessed with an elusive and strangely sinister young girl.Against the backdrop of contemporary Berlin, possibly Europe's most vibrant and exhilarating city, Hermann's characters are as kaleidoscopic and extraordinary as their metropolis, united mostly in a furious and dogged pursuit of the elusive specter of "living in the moment." They're people who, in one way or another, constantly challenge the madness of the modern world and whose dreams of transcending the ordinary for that "narrow strip of sky over the rooftops" are deeply felt and perfectly rendered.
A collection of nine narratives explores the precarious search for identity and stability among a generation navigating the shifting landscape of post-reunification Berlin. The protagonists in these stories grapple with the tension between their desire for permanence and the inherent instability of their modern lives. Whether attempting to anchor themselves through property ownership, family reconciliation, or fleeting romantic encounters, these characters face internal and external pressures that threaten their fragile equilibrium. The narrative framework utilizes a detached, observational tone to examine the quiet desperation and transient connections of individuals attempting to define their existence in a rapidly changing urban environment.
Readers and critics frequently highlight the collection's ability to capture the specific mood of a generation caught between historical weight and the uncertainty of the future. Discussion often centers on the author's precise, understated prose style, which avoids melodrama while maintaining a high level of emotional resonance. Many observers note the effectiveness of the Berlin setting in grounding the characters' restlessness and their attempts to find meaning in transient experiences. The balance between character-driven introspection and the subtle, often ambiguous plot developments is a frequent point of analysis for those examining the work's impact. The collection is often cited for its ability to render the ordinary struggles of its subjects with a clarity that invites repeated reflection.
Page Count:
224
Publication Date:
2002-04-01
ISBN-10:
0060006862
ISBN-13:
9780060006860
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