Summary of What was BeforeÂ
In Martin Mosebach’s novel “What was Before”, a young woman asks her lover about his life before they met. While the question seems harmless, the answer is anything but. The narrator begins to recount his experiences, including his acquaintance with a wealthy family in the upper echelons of Frankfurt society, and the amorous intrigues that followed.
Reasons to read What was Before
A central theme of “What Was Before” is the role of coincidence in shaping people’s lives. The novel provides an insightful and often witty portrayal of upper-class life in the affluent suburbs of Frankfurt. It makes for an ideal summer read by one of Germany’s most acclaimed contemporary authors. Martin Mosebach was awarded the Kleist Prize in 2002 and the Georg BĂĽchner Prize – widely regarded as Germany’s highest literary honour – in 2007.
Setting: Frankfurt (Germany)
Original title: Was davor geschah
Year of publication: 2010
Nr of pages: 296
