Stadtgeschichten

WORLD LITERATURE IN REVIEW ^ ^ ^^^ jH ogy like cell phones and Facebook. Although infrequent, it's worth mentioning because Shaw seems to be making a very relevant anal ogy between the organic spread of mass empathy brought about by the experiments of the 1960s and the modern, technological variety that's takingplace with thegradual hardwire networking of everyone on the planet. Though it's a bit tough to pro cess at firstbecause of its jagged, psychedelic eye-candy mixed with an odd story, there's no doubt that Body War Id is a work of well-orches trated, unique graphic storytelling. It's also by no means incompre hensible in its experimentation and, in fact, speaks to Shaw's ability to effectively handle multiple charac ters that develop in the murky realm of the collective unconscious. The end result raises the complex ques tion of whether modern society is quietly building a natural momen tum toward a human hive mind. Geoff Gossett LosAligeles Stadtgeschichten: Erz?hlungen vom Leben in der Stadt. Hanna Holthau sen, ed. Norderstedt, Germany. Books on Demand. 2009. 180 pages, ill. 15.90. ISBN 978-3-8391-3812-0 S ta d tges chichten: E rz?l?ungen vom Leben in der Stadt is a refreshing anthology of twenty-five thought provoking short stories from eight different emerging female writ ers in Germany. The stories lead the reader to large and small cit ies, through their streets, dwellings, plazas, parks, and periphery, while foregrounding the individual and his or her interaction with the topog raphy of the city and the people who live there. Immediately piquing V.F L\9 . . S %sa / /y f+++44| +'VAw the reader's interest, the stories the matize the possibilities, both good and bad, that cities offer: love, dis appointment, excitement, and even death and mystery. Above all, the authors are excellent observers and provide the reader glimpses into the private lives, thoughts, emotions, and concerns of the characters. The reader becomes a voyeur, invited to be sure, and experiences the every day events with the characters. The stories of this anthology are diverse, yet all compelling. Some startle, others may calm, and a few will surprise the reader. Indeed, 64 I World Literature Today Stadtgeschichten Erz?hiungen vom Leben in der Stadt m T i each of thestories,which can be read in five to fifteen minutes, leaves the reader wanting to know more about the character and his or her fate. Four storiesmerit special attention: "Gefangen" by Renate Kaiser and "Die andere Perspektive" by Hanna Holthausen are emotionally charged stories that could take place any where in Germany, Europe, or even the United States. In "Gefangen," the protagonist, a miner, thinks of his wife and children while work ing and wonders how long he must continue this backbreaking work. His thermos of coffee is the only connection to themwhen he's one thousand meters underground. Dur ing his afternoon coffee break, the earthbegins to rumble and the mine begins to collapse. "Die andere Per spektive" presents Jochen, who had been married and had a good job but isnow homeless. Jochen, like the reader, is a voyeur, and observes the behavior, language, attitudes, and prejudices of people he encounters. When he attempts to return a valu able piece of jewelry he saw some one leave at a caf?,he is considered suspicious. In an ironic twist, how ever, he discovers thathe, too, has been observed and recognized as an honest, trustworthyman who will soon be surprised by an unexpected offer. These two stories demonstrate the realm ofpossibilitywhile reveal ing thedignity ofhumankind. "Gartenidylle" by Kerstin Lange and "Kaffeekultur," another story by Renate Kaiser, are notewor thyin theirnarrative styleand atten tion todetail, but also forhow they depict everyday aspects of stereo typicalGerman culture: the "Schre bergarten" (writing garden) and "ein K?nnchen Kaffee" (coffeepot). In "Gartenidylle," the first-person narrator finally acquires her dream "Schrebergarten" only to discover thanher idyll isactually a nightmare due toher bothersome neighbor. A devious battle ensues and ends only when the police find the old man dead on her property. "Kaffeekul tur"portrays generational differenc es and perceived changes and shifts in culture setwithin themicrocosm of a caf

Archaeology · Art · Art history · Humanities · Media studies · Political science · Realm · Sociology · Visual arts · Writ · Gothic Literature and Media Analysis · History · Law · Literature Analysis and Criticism · Spatial and Cultural Studies