Ruven grows up in northern Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. The boy has the rare gift of synaesthesia: his sensory perceptions overlap and intermingle. Ruven can see sounds and is musically highly talented. His father tries to douse his dreams of a career in music, but ultimately gives up. Ruven finally gets the support he needs and he falls in love with the granddaughter of his Jewish mentor. With the beginning of World War II, Ruven has to bury his dreams.

German original title

© Suhrkamp Verlag

German

Svenja Leiber
Das Letzte Land

Berlin, Suhrkamp Verlag 2014
307 pages