(7/15/2024)
"Kairos," the lesser-known god of fortunate events, lends his name to a post-unification Berlin tale. This story, about the unexpected affair between a married 50-year-old and a 19-year-old, is not your typical romance. Their relationship, with all the elements of a star-crossed meet cute, is a compelling exploration of love and sacrifice, even when their future is uncertain.
American history classes often focus on the fall of the Berlin Wall, a significant event that symbolized the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.
However, the periods before and after this event are equally important in the context of our story. The strong ideologies that defined this era serve as an unwitting backdrop to an unbalanced, dominating love story. In this narrative, the societal and political upheaval, rather than physical boundaries, are the characters' primary concerns, providing a rich historical setting that will inform the reader.
In this story, the young woman and the older gentleman act predictably, but their actions reflect the German landscape in 1987. The societal norms of the time, influenced by the aftermath of the Cold War and the unification of Germany, dictated their choices. Even after translation, the author assumes some political knowledge that required me to look up a few things.
Just past the halfway point, things take a dark turn, which, in retrospect, the author foreshadowed sufficiently. The plot twist, while effective, evoked a sense of discomfort in me, a testament to the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative. Without revealing too much, realize that it is hard to read about gaslighting and emotional abuse, whether it is a country or a boyfriend committing it.
It all makes for an engaging but squirm-inducing novel. Our generation knows little about German life, but this educates us about it.