What turns an upstanding bibliophile into a reactionary . . . or a revolutionary? A disturbing tale about all of us.
Norbert Paulini is a highly respected antiquarian books dealer in Dresden whose shop attracts booklovers searching for treasures and likeminded people. As times change and customers grow rare, he continues to defend his position. But Paulini is suddenly transformed into an irascible dogmatist and accused of taking part in xenophobic riots.
This brilliant piece of sleight of hand turns the story on its head. Is Paulini a reactionary or a revolutionary, a tragic figure or a murderer? Ingo Schulze pulls the rug out from under us in virtuoso fashion. How can a reader and booklover become a right-wing criminal? This is storytelling as its most ingenious and disconcerting.