Herbert Rosendorfer was a keen observer of the human condition, weaving intricate narratives that explored the complexities of law, history, and individual lives. His prose, often laced with dry wit and sharp intellect, invites readers to reconsider established norms and the absurdities of existence. Rosendorfer's unique background as a judge deeply informed his literary voice, lending an authoritative yet deeply human perspective to his explorations.
"Her story is interwoven most skilfully with her 20th century life, which holds strange parallels and reflections and allows Rosendorfer some acute and occasionally darkly comic, social comment. This is a quality book from a first-rate mind of considerable sophistication. Dedalus is to be thanked for introducing us to Herbert Rosendorfer." Elizabeth Hawksley in The Historical Novel Review
Four men led by the Architect of Ruins construct an Armagedon shelter, in the shape of a giant cigar, so that when the end of the world comes they can enter eternity in the right mood, whilst playing a Schubert string quartet.
When Anton L wakes up one morning and realizes that he may be the only person left in the world, he accepts his fate, but when he eventually finds a group of people who are secretly searching for The Book, a volume that contains all knowledge of the world, he starts to follow them on their journey.
"A 10th-century Chinese mandarin travels forward in time, and writes letters home reporting on the strange land of 'Zha-ma-ni' in which he is surrounded by giants with big noses, and frightened by the iron carriages called 'mo-tao-kas'. We gradually realise that he is in present-day Munich, and the hapless voyager's encounters with modern life and love, make delightful reading." Scotland on Sunday Two million copies of the German edition have been sold which belies the claims that the Germans do not have a sense of humour and do not like satire.