Emigrated – Culture – SZ.de

Adam Soboczynski came to Germany from Poland when he was six years old; today he is head of literature at “Zeit”. In his book he tells his personal migration experience and how his view of Germany changed over the years. At first he viewed Germany as a dream country, but over time he developed a more critical view, comparable to that of a “real German”. He sheds light on his family’s experiences in communist Poland and their hopes for a better life in Germany. From his youth in the Bonn Republic to his coming of age in Berlin, he reflects on the freedoms that developed in Europe between 1989 and 2022. And how these freedoms are in danger today – both in eastern and western Europe.

Lea Bonasera – The time for courage is now!

What does civil resistance mean in the face of the climate crisis? In her book, Lea Bonasera, co-founder of the Last Generation, thinks about how civil disobedience can motivate political and economic decision-makers to take action. Drawing on current research and personal experiences from civil rights movements, it emphasizes the urgency of change and reflects on the appropriate radicalism in the climate crisis. The book aims to present scientific findings in an easy-to-understand manner and illustrates the importance of civil resistance as a means of solving the climate crisis.

Terézia Mora – Muna or Half of Life

The story begins in the former GDR, where Muna grows up and falls in love with Magnus, a photographer and French teacher. But from the beginning, their relationship is riddled with insecurity and toxic elements. Magnus’ behavior is difficult to understand, and whether he loves Muna as much as she loves him remains uncertain. Terézia Mora uses her ingenious storytelling skills to bring the characters to life in a lively and complex way. Muna, who initially appears to be a fascinating and enigmatic figure, becomes increasingly complex and multifaceted as the story progresses. The relationship between her and Magnus continues to develop, becomes more complicated and ultimately violent. Terézia Mora succeeds in drawing readers into the ambivalent world of Muna, combining literary mastery and depth.

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Elif Batuman – Either/Or

Selin, a sophomore at Harvard University, suffers from heartache, takes antidepressants, and tries to understand her world by reading novels. Selin’s deep interest in the works of great authors, from Kierkegaard to Nabokov, is reflected in her passionate attempt to fathom the mysteries of the world. Yet their questions about social concepts at parties, the nature of emancipation and the meaning of intimacy often remain unanswered. In the midst of this intellectual odyssey, Elif Batuman reveals the inner conflict of a young feminist protagonist in search of answers in a world that is not always easy to understand. Her novel is a captivating work of art that artfully captures the inner conflict of many women and takes readers on a literary journey full of insight and self-discovery.

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Janka Oertel – End of the China illusion

The second major issue of this time after the Ukraine war is the ever-increasing conflict between the West and China. In this field, too, there are more and more warning books about false ideas about Beijing’s politics – the most severe of which is that of sinologist Janka Oertel. With very good arguments, “End of the China Illusion” also destroys the last well-meaning views about Xi Jinping’s China, a country “that simply doesn’t want to become the way we would like it to be.” Whether people who understand China read such books remains to be seen, but reading them would be a good antidote to self-deception and complacency.

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Mary Elise Sarotte – Not a step further east

Did the West forgo NATO’s eastward expansion during the negotiations for German reunification in 1990 – and then later not stick to it? This question has sparked off a debate for decades as to whether Moscow was perhaps duped – and this has been heatedly debated again since Putin’s attack on Ukraine. If you want to know exactly, pick up Mary Sarotte’s book. And from the US historian’s precisely researched analysis, he learns what happened during the two-plus-four negotiations in 1990 and what was signed at the end. After reading it, everyone is smarter, the verdict is clear: Putin and all those who understand Putin are wrong. New standard work on this topic.

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