Go, Went, Gone
Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck, published by Portobello Books in 2017, is a thought-provoking work of fiction that explores themes of belonging and identity. The narrative follows Richard, a retired university professor who, after years of academic life, finds himself stepping into the vibrant streets of Berlin. There, he encounters a group of African asylum seekers on hunger strike, prompting him to reflect on his own life and the societal divisions that persist in his city.
Readers will find a nuanced exploration of race, privilege, and nationality as Richard navigates his interactions with the new community. The book delves into his evolving understanding of belonging and the complexities of human connection in a changing world. With 286 pages, this edition offers a rich and engaging reading experience, showcasing Erpenbeck’s skill in weaving together personal and social narratives.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Richard has spent his life as a university professor, immersed in the world of books and ideas. But now he is retired, his library remains packed up in boxes and he steps into the streets of his city, Berlin. Here, on Alexanderplatz, he discovers a new community–a group of African asylum seekers on hunger strike. 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”–Dust jacket.
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