Kairos

Published in 2021, Kairos is a historical novel by German writer Jenny Erpenbeck. A celebrated author of four novels, Erpenbeck set out to write a book about an intimate love story against the backdrop of a larger political system on the brink of collapse. The novel was translated from its original German into English by Michael Hofmann in 2023. The subsequent year, it was declared the winner of the International Booker Prize. Kairos was also the recipient of the 2022 Uwe Johnson Prize.

The novel focuses on the troubling affair between Hans, a middle-aged writer, and Katharina, a young graphic artist, during the final years of East Germany and the German reunification from 1986 to 1992. The inquisitive Katharina presents an appealing alternative to Hans’s disinterested family, but when Katharina has a brief affair with a man closer to her own age during an internship in Frankfurt, the foundations of her relationship with Hans are shaken, setting off a years-long breakdown that continues to impact Katharina even after Hans dies. Erpenbeck uses the novel to discuss The Politics of Transgression and Atonement, Identity and Power in the

Unlock all 67 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App

+ Printable PDF

+ Literary AI Tools

Unlock Full Library