Go, Went, Gone
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Average rating4.1
One of the great contemporary European writers takes on Europe's biggest issue Richard has spent his life as a university professor, immersed in the world of books and ideas, but now he is retired, his books remain in their packing boxes and he steps into the streets of his city, Berlin. Here, on Oranienplatz, he discovers a new community -- a tent city, established by African asylum seekers. Hesitantly, getting to know the new arrivals, Richard finds his life changing, as he begins to question his own sense of belonging in a city that once divided its citizens into them and us. At once a passionate contribution to the debate on race, privilege and nationality and a beautifully written examination of an ageing man's quest to find meaning in his life, Go, Went, Gone showcases one of the great contemporary European writers at the height of her powers.
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I had some mixed but ultimately positive feelings about this book, which tells the story of Richard, a recently retired classics professor in Berlin who finds himself drawn into the world of a group of African refugees in the city. I wish there was more time given to the perspective of the refugees themselves, but there was some interesting development of themes about borders, about time, and about choices.
Intriguing story of a recently retired classics professor in Berlin who is adjusting to things that have changed–the reunification of Germany (25 years earlier), the death of his wife, the presence of refugees in the city. His attention is taken up entirely by the refugees from Africa and attempting to help them. It's an important book, in my view, but kind of a tedious read.
