In twelve stories, Feridun Zaimoglu describes the experiences of those who are searching for a small portion of luck and happiness in large German cities, in the side streets of touristic spas or in archaic villages (like in the story “Häute” which won the Ingeborg-Bachmann-Award 2003). The protagonists lack something – a certain yearning and agonizing pain is always perceptable. There are bigoted ex-girlfriends, husbands seeking revenge or romantic scoundrels – all entangled in matters of love. They live in the modern western reality and try to flee it but must find that the way back into the apparently secure and structured life is blocked. In a gifted creative language and beautiful poetic pictures, full of fondly depicted details, Feridun Zaimoglu describes basic human situations, all dealing with love. He captures the magic that lies within elusive moments of happiness.
