As Kairos becomes the first book translated from German to win the International Booker Prize, we've rounded up everything you need to know about the novel
I read Kairos when it was first published in English. I loved it. Especially the music mentioned, I downloaded it all and listened to the wonderful atmospheric music as I read the book. I actually read it a second time immediately afterwards. I just loved it and its normal portrayal of ordinary lives in East Berlin and the wonder of seeing West Berlin/Germany through their eyes.
I haven't yet read Kairos, so I cannot do anything but note the gap between the description of the book you provide-- which made me instantly want to buy the book -- and a random sample of reasonably mainstream reviews (and Amazon reviews), which are lackluster at best. Reviews can be all over the map, and capricious, and unfair. But 10 years ago I'd look forward to almost every single book on the Booker finalist list; now I can hardly find one that I can finish. That may be a function of changing tastes, and the fact I'm no longer in my 20s or 30s... but literature is supposed to be to a degree, at least, timeless. Because I'm writing this, I'll buy and read book to see if I agree with the published (and Amazon) reviews. If I love the book, I'll come back and eat crow.
Had this book pre-ordered when I heard about it. love Jenny Eprenbecks work - she is as fine a writer as there is there days.
I am endlessley fascatined with that world of berlin before and during the fall of the wall and I loved how she used this as the evolving relationship. She makes things so real, so absolutely believable - the control in the novel was frightening, i don't want to give much away, but I also know it is a novel I will return to again for a second read
Eastern European here. I liked her previous books. This is the weakest. First, it comes from a privileged background as the author was for most of her life part of Nomenklatura. Second, "love story" between a old bore, married womanizer and hormone-filled careless young woman. This is not what love was then and it is not what is now for most people that are just a bit ethical... Third, even after close to half a century the West understands nothing of the East. The award should have gone to Jenny for any of her previous books, not this flimsy-cooked propaganda for western readers. Dig deeper Booker!
I plan to read Kairos first in German and then the translation. As a translator of German into English, I'm most curious how Michael Hofmann has rendered Erpenbeck's novel into English. From what I've read about both versions, I doubt if I'll be disappointed.
On our book club list to read now!!
Fantastic, Alyce! We really hope you all enjoy it.
Looks fantastic
Richly deserved 💎📚🥇📚💎 Heartiest Congratulations 💐
👏👏👏!!
I read Kairos when it was first published in English. I loved it. Especially the music mentioned, I downloaded it all and listened to the wonderful atmospheric music as I read the book. I actually read it a second time immediately afterwards. I just loved it and its normal portrayal of ordinary lives in East Berlin and the wonder of seeing West Berlin/Germany through their eyes.
We're so glad you loved it as much as we do, Maureen!
I haven't yet read Kairos, so I cannot do anything but note the gap between the description of the book you provide-- which made me instantly want to buy the book -- and a random sample of reasonably mainstream reviews (and Amazon reviews), which are lackluster at best. Reviews can be all over the map, and capricious, and unfair. But 10 years ago I'd look forward to almost every single book on the Booker finalist list; now I can hardly find one that I can finish. That may be a function of changing tastes, and the fact I'm no longer in my 20s or 30s... but literature is supposed to be to a degree, at least, timeless. Because I'm writing this, I'll buy and read book to see if I agree with the published (and Amazon) reviews. If I love the book, I'll come back and eat crow.
Rthgvj
Congratulation good job 👏👏👏
Had this book pre-ordered when I heard about it. love Jenny Eprenbecks work - she is as fine a writer as there is there days.
I am endlessley fascatined with that world of berlin before and during the fall of the wall and I loved how she used this as the evolving relationship. She makes things so real, so absolutely believable - the control in the novel was frightening, i don't want to give much away, but I also know it is a novel I will return to again for a second read
Where can I purchase a copy?
Eastern European here. I liked her previous books. This is the weakest. First, it comes from a privileged background as the author was for most of her life part of Nomenklatura. Second, "love story" between a old bore, married womanizer and hormone-filled careless young woman. This is not what love was then and it is not what is now for most people that are just a bit ethical... Third, even after close to half a century the West understands nothing of the East. The award should have gone to Jenny for any of her previous books, not this flimsy-cooked propaganda for western readers. Dig deeper Booker!
I plan to read Kairos first in German and then the translation. As a translator of German into English, I'm most curious how Michael Hofmann has rendered Erpenbeck's novel into English. From what I've read about both versions, I doubt if I'll be disappointed.