Die Rückkehr

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Since the end of the war, Felix von Geldern has been eagerly anticipating his return to Europe. In late May 1946, he boards a ship bound for Vienna. Eight years earlier, his old Austrian family fled to New York to escape National Socialism following the annexation. Now, he must confront the reality of Austria after its defeat and liberation. He quickly realizes that the celebrations in Heldenplatz are not genuine, as his former girlfriend has betrayed him, first embracing Goebbels and now a US colonel. This novel explores themes of disillusionment, betrayal, and the complexities of returning home after years of exile, capturing the profound changes in a nation and its people in the aftermath of war.