German Book Prize goes to Shida Bazyar Story of a Hometown

Sometimes a diagnosis comes as a relief; sometimes naming a disease only increases the burden. Simon Sahner takes a closer look at how the name of a disease impacts those affected.

Why do men with cancer tend to document their suffering for the public almost immediately, while women are more likely to turn to writing only after overcoming an illness? Simon Sahner examines this phenomenon and the social conditions that shape it.

Knowing how to talk appropriately to someone who is seriously ill is no easy matter. Drawing on his own experiences as a patient, Simon Sahner, explores the faux pas well-meaning family members and medical professionals can so easily make.

What can art reveal about a society? Ersan Mondtag talks about contradictions and certainties, how quickly we put people into categories, and what art can offer as a counterpoint to the way we see others.

Their enormous backpacks are impossible to overlook. Their faces, however, are quickly forgotten: food delivery riders navigating the streets on two wheels. Tomer Gardi follows them through Tel Aviv, Berlin and other metropolitan hubs, weaving stories of precarious labour and global exploitation, but also of solidarity, perseverance and hope.

Whether fantasy, young adult fiction, or historical fiction: these seven books are not only bestsellers in Germany, but have also achieved international success. Translated into numerous languages, they continue to captivate readers around the world. Discover which titles have traveled the farthest in our selection.

On 13 August 1961, when construction of the Berlin Wall began, the lives of millions of people in Germany changed overnight. Rainer Just and Michael ‘Micha’ Synowzik recall how they experienced that day as children – and explain why they continue to share their stories to this day.


 

The Uckermark Lake District boasts gently rolling hills, glittering lakes and abundant wildlife. Historic towns such as Lychen and a lovingly restored church give visitors an opportunity to delve into cultural history while experiencing this beautiful natural environment.

“Go and fetch me a bottle of beer, otherwise I’ll go on strike here and won’t write another word,” once said former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. And he was by no means alone in feeling thirsty: Germans’ love of beer is world‑famous. Armed with this beer knowledge, you too will be able to join in the conversation on your next trip to the beer garden.