A mysterious traveller arrives in Wandernburg, a vaguely placed town somewhere in the area of present Germany in the early 19th century. The traveller, translator of poetry by profession, though constantly planning to continue his journey, finds himself staying, hooked by a number of diverse friends and a discussion circle of intellectuals, led by attractive and intelligent Sophie.
In his book Traveller of the Century, Andrés Neuman offers something to everyone in a relaxed but masterly manner: intellectual discussions, dives into the literary world, a love story, a murder mystery, views into the layers of society and ideologies, as well as into history (and at he same time, into the present), a journey into our Europe, a plausible and genuine gallery of characters, and last but not least, a female character who is a survivor, not a decoration or a victim.
In addition to the honest presentation of a woman's struggles, the reader is touched by the main character's constant dilemma: his desire to leave and his need to stay. For Herr Hans, staying or committing himself under the given conditions is hard. He wants to be honest about his incompleteness. This honestly written character, the Traveller of the Century, could in fact travel in any century.
Neuman, Andrés: Traveller of the Century (El viajero del siglo, 2009)
Comments