German language has an unique art of wording. One single word, may have so many meanings, sometimes very opposite to one another. Grenzgänger is usually used for people commuting from one side of the border to another, but can also be understood as people who are with each foot on other side of the world, mentally, emotionally.
Henni, the main character of Grenzgänger by Mechtild Borrmann is exactly like this. Set in the post-war years, the book combines recent German history with a crime topic. The world of the book is full of secrets, unshared emotions and struggle for existence. In her youth years, Henni was part of a local coffee smuggling gang at the border between Germany and Belgium.
Now, she is accused of murdering her father, and the investigation to clarify the crime leads to a traumatic family life and ongoing abuses taking place in Catholic orphanages, where her siblings were placed and eventually died.
Set in a fictional locality of Velda, the book is a world in itself, connected however with a post-war reality that sounds relatable, especially based on nonfictional accounts.
I had access to the book in the audiobook format, in the original German language.
This book showed me how much I still have to learn about German post-war history and realities. Also, that there are so many local authors waiting for me to discover. A challenge I am more than happy to take.
Rating: 4 stars
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