Kraft: A Novel

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Jonas LUscher, acclaimed for his humorous satire of the financial crisis, returns with a wickedly funny novel exploring neoliberal arrogance. The story follows Richard Kraft, a German professor of rhetoric, who is trapped in an unhappy marriage and drowning in debt. His mundane existence takes a turn when he is invited to a competition in California, sponsored by a Silicon Valley tycoon and self-proclaimed 'techno-optimist.' The challenge is to deliver an eighteen-minute lecture on why our world remains the best possible one, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, and how technology could further improve it. As Kraft navigates a surreal American landscape, he grapples with the absurdity of justifying a world dominated by neoliberal greed. Despite the chaos unraveling his life, the allure of the prize money tempts him with the possibility of a fresh start. However, he must confront both physical and philosophical challenges to claim his reward. LUscher's novel is a sharp and entertaining exploration of a man confronting the ruins of his existence and the world around him.