The columnist Hans Benedek, used to success and a man in his so-called prime, not only loses his hair, but also the ability to understand his time, at least when it comes to new-fangled things like gender or identity politics. Although he still believes himself to be a man of considerable influence and believes that everyone perks up its ears when he expresses a thought, the signs are increasing that something has changed. In short, the world went on without him. When his wife gives him the idea of portraying a well-known young feminist, he senses his chance to finally be back as the man of today. But the encounter will tear him into an abyss for which he was not prepared. Johanna Adorján’s novel “Ciao” is a snapshot from the midst of the social upheaval in which we are currently. He tells of what the issues of the time do in the souls of people, regardless of age or gender.
Johanna Adorján: Ciao. Novel. Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Cologne 2021. 272 pages, 20 euros.