Anniversaries, Volume 1

More about the book

The first volume of a monumental twentieth-century literary work, recognized as one of the best books of 2018 by The New York Times critics, is now available as two individual volumes. Set in August 1967, it follows Gesine Cresspahl, a German survivor of war and totalitarian regimes, who has been living in New York City with her ten-year-old daughter, Marie, for six years. They navigate the myriad stories of their surroundings—work, school, and a diverse neighborhood—while also engaging with the news in The New York Times, covering events like Che Guevara’s influence, racial violence, the Vietnam War, and upcoming US elections. As Marie matures, Gesine decides to share her own childhood experiences in a small north German town during the 1930s and ’40s. Through reflections on Germany’s tumultuous past and the chaotic present, Gesine, with her sharp humor and introspective nature, aims to impart her wisdom to Marie, who is curious and articulate, posing her own questions. This intimate portrayal of their relationship serves as a broader exploration of history and the world, drawing comparisons to the richness of Joyce’s Ulysses and Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, marking it as one of the great novels of our time.