Welcome to Revise and Resubmit. In today’s Weekend Book Review, we explore a book that is as intimate as it is devastating—Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated by Michael Hofmann. Set against the crumbling backdrop of 1980s East Berlin, this novel intertwines a doomed love affair with the seismic shifts in European history, drawing readers into a world where personal passions and political ideologies collide.
Erpenbeck, an award-winning author, opera director, and playwright, is no stranger to stories that confront the complexities of human emotions and historical change. Born in East Berlin in 1967, she began her career as a bookbinder and later turned to opera and literature, gaining acclaim across the globe. Kairos—a tale of hope, betrayal, and power—further cements her status as one of Germany’s most influential contemporary voices. Michael Hofmann, a celebrated translator, brings Erpenbeck’s prose to life, bridging languages with the same care he’s brought to Kafka, Roth, and Fallada.
The novel begins with a chance encounter between a young student and an older, married man. Their passionate affair is heightened by secrecy but soon cracks under jealousy and control. As the couple clings to love, East Germany’s ideals begin to crumble, raising profound questions: What happens when loyalty turns oppressive? When power shifts? And how do you know when it's time to let go—of a lover, a belief, or a way of life?
We extend our thanks to Jenny Erpenbeck and New Directions Publishing for this powerful novel. Make sure to subscribe to Revise and Resubmit on Spotify, and catch us on Amazon Prime Music and Apple Podcast for more Weekend Book Reviews where stories collide with ideas!
Reference
Venner, C. (2023). Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck. World Literature Today, 97(6), 55-56. https://doi.org/10.1353/wlt.2023.a910267
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