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Cover of Herkunft by Saša Stanišić

Herkunft

by Saša Stanišić

Approximately 368 pages

This novel intricately weaves personal and collective histories, inviting deep reflection on identity and belonging.

Difficulty

Challenging

Pace

Slow

Mood

reflective, poignant

Book club

Medium

Find in a library

Is this book for you?

Read this if you enjoy

  • introspective narratives
  • stories about personal history
  • explorations of cultural identity

Consider another book if

  • you prefer straightforward plots
  • you are looking for fast-paced stories

What it is about

"Herkunft" explores the author's personal journey from Bosnia to Germany. Saša Stanišić reflects on his childhood in the town of Višegrad. The narrative intertwines themes of identity, migration, and belonging.

Stanišić examines the impact of war on his family and community. He shares anecdotes that highlight cultural differences and similarities. The book delves into the complexities of language and storytelling.

Stanišić's experiences reveal the challenges of adapting to a new home. The narrative is interspersed with reflections on memory and history. The author emphasizes the significance of roots and heritage.

Ultimately, "Herkunft" is a meditation on the idea of home.

Award recognition

2019 winner

German Book Prize

Germany

View the winners list: Deutscher Buchpreis

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