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Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck
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Visitation (original 2008; edition 2010)

by Jenny Erpenbeck (Author), Susan Bernofsky (Translator)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
6894733,028 (3.89)199
A forested property on a Brandenburg lake outside of Berlin lies at the heart of this novel. This novel offers us the stories of twelve individuals who make their homes here.
Member:mellu
Title:Visitation
Authors:Jenny Erpenbeck (Author)
Other authors:Susan Bernofsky (Translator)
Info:New Directions (2010), 151 sivua
Collections:Read but unowned, Given away
Rating:***
Tags:fiction, Germany, SantaThing

Work Information

Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck (2008)

  1. 20
    The Glass Room by Simon Mawer (Smiler69)
    Smiler69: Another book where the house forms a central character, this time in East Germany as the occupants change through WWII and communism.
  2. 10
    House of Day, House of Night by Olga Tokarczuk (Anonymous user)
  3. 00
    Unterleuten by Juli Zeh (spiphany)
  4. 00
    Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill (wandering_star)
    wandering_star: Two experimental Jennys with a similar elliptical style of storytelling.
  5. 00
    Milkman by Anna Burns (wandering_star)
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» See also 199 mentions

English (41)  German (3)  Danish (2)  Spanish (1)  All languages (47)
Showing 1-5 of 41 (next | show all)
This is told in an unusual way, focused on a small parcel of land near Berlin, and telling the stories of the land and the people who lived there, slipping back and forth through time and between people in ways that were sometimes disorienting. Content warnings for sexual violence, and basically all the kinds of dehumanization you'd expect in a book that takes place in Germany in a period that encompasses the Second World War. Yes, there are Holocaust horrors here. Focusing on the land was a unique way to form the story, and I found it compelling, even if I did take issue with a few of the author's choices. ( )
  greeniezona | Nov 19, 2023 |
This is an interesting book - a slightly quirky take on historical fiction.
using a lakeside house as the stable point, the author weaves the stories of the people coming and going against the history of East Germany in the 20th century as background.
Everything is told subtly. The horrors are referred to, but not directly. No polemics.
I really enjoyed the book and will be back for later books by this author. ( )
1 vote mbmackay | Sep 27, 2023 |
What a powerful, small book this is. After a chapter or two I thought of quitting it - didn't like the format - but went ahead, and I am glad I did. The characters are interesting, the plot, such as it can be called a plot, is troubling, clear, painful and eye-opening. The craftswomanship of the writing is wonderful. This is a worthwhile novel that has lingered with me. ( )
  RickGeissal | Aug 16, 2023 |
The imagery and rhythm of language in this book was gorgeous. Almost like a long poem or an ode to a place and people's experiences and pain. ( )
1 vote beentsy | Aug 12, 2023 |
More poetic and less straightforward than the summary would suggest. I found the form impactful and not forced or overwhelming. Reminded me of a specific poetic structure that I'm sure my sister would know the name of. The author uses the story of this house and land passing through hands as a sort of Vergangenheitsbewältigung. ( )
  Kiramke | Jun 27, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 41 (next | show all)

» Add other authors (1 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Erpenbeck, Jennyprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Bernofsky, SusanTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Bussink, GerritTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Colbus, Jean-ClaudeTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Hébert, BrigitteTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Schippers, EllyTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
As the day is long and the world is old, many people can stand in the same place, one after another. - Marie in 'Woyzeck', by Georg Büchner.

If I came to you,
O woods of my youth, could you
Promise me peace once again?
-Friedrich Hölderlin.

When the house is finished, Death enters.
-Arabic proverb
Dedication
For Doris Kaplan.
First words
APPROXIMATELY TWENTY-FOUR THOUSAND years ago, a glacier advanced until it reached a large outcropping of rock that now is nothing more than a gentle hill above where the house stands.
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A forested property on a Brandenburg lake outside of Berlin lies at the heart of this novel. This novel offers us the stories of twelve individuals who make their homes here.

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