German Book Club: 'Zur See'

P icture Source: © Penguin Verlag

Our monthly book club meets up on a Tuesday evening, approx. ten times a year. In an informal atmosphere we discuss (in German) a contemporary novel, short story or a collection of poems which participants read before we meet up.

Join us for the next session of our book club to discuss (in German) the novel Zur See by Dörte Hansen. New members welcome!

The ferry takes an hour from the mainland to the small North Sea island, sometimes longer, depending on the swell. The Sander family has lived here in one of the two villages for almost 300 years. Hanne has raised three children, her husband has given up the family and seafaring. Now her eldest has lost his captain's licence, is tormented by forebodings and flood statistics and is waiting for the worst of all storms. Daughter Eske, who cares for sailors and widows in the retirement home, fears the streams of tourists more than the water, because the island culture has long since degenerated into folklore. Only Henrik, the youngest, is at peace with himself. He is the first man in the family who has never been drawn to a ship, only to the beach, where he collects flotsam and jetsam. Over the course of a year, the Sander family's life changes from the ground up, at first barely noticeably, then with full force.
Dörte Hansen tells the story of the transformation of an island world, of old laws losing their validity, and of new beginnings and liberation, cleverly and with great warmth. The number 1 bestselling novel is now available in an illustrated gift edition with 14 black and white illustrations in a special design.

Dörte Hansen, born in Husum in 1964, worked as an NDR editor and author for radio and print after studying linguistics. Her debut novel "Altes Land" was named "Favourite Book of the Independent Book Trade" in 2015 and was a 2015 bestseller on the SPIEGEL bestseller list. Her second novel "Mittagsstunde" was published in 2018, was again a SPIEGEL bestseller of the year and was awarded the Rheingau Literature Prize and the Grimmelshausen Literature Prize. Her third novel "Zur See" was published in 2022. Dörte Hansen, who lives with her family in North Friesland, is Mainz City Writer 2022.

Everyone who would like to read and discover German books and share their reading experience with others is welcome. The conversation will be in German. All participants should have sufficient language skills to read and discuss in German.

Participation is free of charge.

If you are not a regular member of the book club please register your interest by sending an email to [email protected]. We will add you to our book club mailing list.

More information: Goethe-Institut Glasgow Book Club Page.

Host or Publisher Goethe-Institut Glasgow Library