A review by suerte_encantada
Tauben im Gras by Wolfgang Koeppen

4.0

"Tauben im Gras" is a not an easy novel to read: The fragmented structure, the scarce punctuation and the shifting point-of-view as well as the many characters do not allow a light reading.

If you overcome this hurdle, you will be granted an unlikly experience of an ordinary story. Taking place shortly after World War II in a town in southern Germany, the novel follows several characters struggeling, exploring or simply living this one day. At the beginning there doesn't seem to be a connection between these characters, but the different stories interweave more and more over the course of the novel.

The language, the rhythm and the structure of the sentences often reminded me of modern poetry. I quite liked the fragmented style of this novel as it clearly enabled to capture a snapshot-esque atmosphere of the first years of post-World War II Germany.

While the topic itself might not be my first choice in reading, the characters and the way they were presented kept me interested.
I can clearly understand why many people might not like the style chosen by the author and I did need some time to finish this relatively short novel, but it was worth the time it took.

If you are looking for something completely different to read and like a small challenge, this book might be perfect for you.