Robert Seethaler crafts narratives that delve into the profound experiences of ordinary lives, often exploring the quiet struggles and profound resilience of individuals against the backdrop of time. His prose is characterized by a spare yet lyrical quality, evoking a sense of timelessness and the poignant beauty found in simplicity. Seethaler possesses a remarkable ability to distill complex human emotions and universal truths into narratives that resonate deeply with readers, offering reflections on existence that are both humble and wise.
Set in post-war Vienna, this captivating historical tale explores the complexities of life in a city recovering from conflict. The narrative delves into the personal struggles of its characters, highlighting themes of resilience and the search for meaning in a changed world. With rich detail and emotional depth, the story invites readers to experience the intricacies of human connection amidst the backdrop of a society in transition.
The acclaimed author of A Whole Life and The Tobacconist, the bestselling and Booker International-shortlisted Robert Seethaler tells the story of a town through the voices from its graveyard: a moving story about life and death and human connection.
An international bestseller often signifies a compelling narrative that resonates with a wide audience, featuring relatable characters, engaging themes, and thought-provoking insights. These books frequently explore universal human experiences, cultural nuances, or thrilling plots that captivate readers across different backgrounds. Their popularity is often bolstered by critical acclaim, media attention, and word-of-mouth recommendations, making them a must-read for those seeking impactful literature.
'Set at a time of lengthening shadows, this is a novel about the sparks that illuminate the dark: of wisdom, compassion, defiance and courage. It is wry, piercing and also, fittingly, radiant.' Daily MailWhen seventeen-year-old Franz exchanges his home in the idyllic beauty of the Austrian lake district for the bustle of Vienna, his homesickness quickly dissolves amidst the thrum of the city. In his role as apprentice to the elderly tobacconist Otto Trsnyek, he will soon be supplying the great and good of Vienna with their newspapers and cigarettes. Among the regulars is a Professor Freud, whose predilection for cigars and occasional willingness to dispense romantic advice will forge a bond between him and young Franz.It is 1937. In a matter of months Germany will annex Austria and the storm that has been threatening to engulf the little tobacconist will descend, leaving the lives of Franz, Otto and Professor Freud irredeemably changed. In the tradition of novels such as Fred Uhlman's classic Reunion, Bernhard Schlink's The Reader and Rachel Seiffert's The Dark Room, The Tobacconist tells a deeply moving story of ordinary lives profoundly affected by the Third Reich.
Jim Crace Andreas lives his whole life in the Austrian Alps, where he arrives as a young boy taken in by a farming family. He is a man of very few words and so, when he falls in love with Marie, he doesn't ask for her hand in marriage, but instead has some of his friends light her name at dusk across the mountain. When Marie dies in an avalanche, pregnant with their first child, Andreas' heart is broken. He leaves his valley just once more, to fight in WWII - where he is taken prisoner in the Caucasus - and returns to find that modernity has reached his remote haven ...