Peter Stamm

In Seerücken the Swiss author once again demonstrates that he is a master of small personal failure, of private disaster that arouses little attention in the world at large. At an audition, it is brusquely brought home to a piano teacher that she is not good enough to be a concert pianist. A vicar preaches to an empty church. A couple on holiday – she is frustrated and he is a victim type – realise that the irritating family next door have suddenly fallen completely silent. While the couple are out on an excursion, the father next door has accidentally run over one of his children. The family departs. We only hear the quiet bit, but it is said that the father’s cries could be heard throughout the resort. The young couple’s relationship is cemented for the time being. Der Lauf der Dinge (The Course of Things) is the story’s lapidary title and it has perpetual application to Stamm’s stories. What is fundamental is the defencelessness of most of his characters in the face of this course of things.

Judith von Sternburg: „Einsame Menschen“
© Frankfurter Rundschau, 16 March 2011