At the January German Book Club meeting we will discuss Marion Poschmann's
Die Kieferninseln (Suhrkamp, 2017, €10,00 ISBN: 9783518469217).
Gilbert Silvester, a lecturer and researcher on beard fashions in film, is in shock. The previous night he dreamt that his wife was cheating on him. In one sudden, irrational act he leaves her, gets on the first available plane, and flies to Japan in order to get some distance. Once there he comes across the travelogues of the classical poet Bashō. Suddenly Gilbert has a goal: like all wandering monks he too wants to see the moon over the pine islands. On the tradition-steeped pilgrims’ route he’ll be able to lose himself in nature and leave his inner turmoil behind. But before he even begins he meets the student Yosa, himself on the way with a completely different kind of guide:
The Complete Manual of Suicide.
Die Kieferninseln is a novel of masterful lightness: profound, humorous, and exciting, it goes straight to the heart.
Kindly RSVP via email to
library-newyork@goethe.de if you plan to attend.
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