A city in the Ruhr region. Early 1980s. Helmut is a senior in high school and all his mother ever wants to know is what he really wants – from life, for example. Helmut listens to records and falls in love with the president of the student body, Britta. But first love also brings first disappointment. And so begins a novel about the one true love, about luck, friendship and, well, life.
“Goosen’s debut novel has poetry, romance, feeling and tenderness, all while remaining down to earth. Goosen is a gripping, stirring, clear storyteller who makes sharp observations and understands a great deal about how to elicit desire… You can read this book whichever way you like: as a journey back in time to the Kohl years, a testimonial of one boy’s coming of age, a generational book, or a declaration of love to love.”
Thomas Brussig in Der Spiegel
