In Jenny Erpenbeck's 'Things That Disappear', the writer deftly weaves together fragments of observation, introspection, and philosophical inquiry to create a kaleidoscopic exploration of transience. The book consists of pieces written by Erpenbeck for a column in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, now translated into English with Kurt Beals' adept translation.
As the world navigated the tumultuous early 2000s following the fall of the Berlin Wall, Erpenbeck skillfully adapted the style of observational journalism to incorporate deeper metaphysical and historical considerations. By dissecting everyday concerns like the evolution of a beloved pastry, she lays bare the underlying dynamics of contingency – the unpredictable nature that governs the disappearance of objects, people, states, and identities.
Erpenbeck's fixation on the power of contingency is evident in her observations about the reconfiguration of East German society after its collapse. With each loss or transformation, Erpenbeck probes the status of an object once it has vanished or a person after they have passed on. The seemingly mundane example of the splitterbrötchen – a pastry whose layers and processes now far transcend its humble beginnings – serves as a poignant metaphor for this idea.
The writer's use of short, fragmented pieces, while necessitated by their original purpose, belies her intention to provoke introspection in readers. These vignettes often leave interpretation to the reader, inviting them to flesh out Erpenbeck's implied ideas and infusing her narratives with an air of mystery. Even the disappearance of a drip-catcher, once ubiquitous but now obsolete, becomes a poignant reminder of human obsolescence.
In 'Things That Disappear', Erpenbeck skillfully oscillates between lighthearted humor and profound emotional resonance, tracing the intersections of everyday life and deeper existential concerns. Her reflections on personal identity, memory, and historical erasure evoke a sense of time's irretrievable passage, where recollections are suspended in limbo like pieces of film waiting to be recalled.
Ultimately, Erpenbeck's masterpiece is an exercise in observation, an endeavor that probes the contours of transience and its implications for human perception. In this compact yet kaleidoscopic work, she invites readers to confront the power dynamics governing our lives – a testament to her unwavering ability to distill profound ideas from even the most seemingly ordinary details.
As the world navigated the tumultuous early 2000s following the fall of the Berlin Wall, Erpenbeck skillfully adapted the style of observational journalism to incorporate deeper metaphysical and historical considerations. By dissecting everyday concerns like the evolution of a beloved pastry, she lays bare the underlying dynamics of contingency – the unpredictable nature that governs the disappearance of objects, people, states, and identities.
Erpenbeck's fixation on the power of contingency is evident in her observations about the reconfiguration of East German society after its collapse. With each loss or transformation, Erpenbeck probes the status of an object once it has vanished or a person after they have passed on. The seemingly mundane example of the splitterbrötchen – a pastry whose layers and processes now far transcend its humble beginnings – serves as a poignant metaphor for this idea.
The writer's use of short, fragmented pieces, while necessitated by their original purpose, belies her intention to provoke introspection in readers. These vignettes often leave interpretation to the reader, inviting them to flesh out Erpenbeck's implied ideas and infusing her narratives with an air of mystery. Even the disappearance of a drip-catcher, once ubiquitous but now obsolete, becomes a poignant reminder of human obsolescence.
In 'Things That Disappear', Erpenbeck skillfully oscillates between lighthearted humor and profound emotional resonance, tracing the intersections of everyday life and deeper existential concerns. Her reflections on personal identity, memory, and historical erasure evoke a sense of time's irretrievable passage, where recollections are suspended in limbo like pieces of film waiting to be recalled.
Ultimately, Erpenbeck's masterpiece is an exercise in observation, an endeavor that probes the contours of transience and its implications for human perception. In this compact yet kaleidoscopic work, she invites readers to confront the power dynamics governing our lives – a testament to her unwavering ability to distill profound ideas from even the most seemingly ordinary details.
The way Kurt Beals has captured her original German columns in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung is pure magic. But, gotta say, I'm a bit skeptical about how well this book would work as a standalone piece. I mean, the fragmented structure is actually really effective in some of the pieces, but others feel kinda disjointed... and what's up with some of these 'mystery' endings? Can't help but want more explanation on certain things 
Still, Erpenbeck's wit and insight are top-notch, and her observations on contingency and human obsolescence are both thought-provoking and hilarious at the same time. The pastry analogy is a real winner 
️!
! This book is like, so deep 
. I mean, who knew something as simple as a pastry could be so revealing about life? Interesting 
. The way Erpenbeck weaves together all these different pieces to show how everything is connected is just mind-blowing 
. And the way she uses everyday stuff to make big points about identity and memory is like, totally genius 
.
I just finished reading "Things That Disappear" by Jenny Erpenbeck and it's like...have you ever noticed how everything is just kinda disappearing all the time? Like, what was that thing I needed this morning but now it's gone? 
It's crazy how our lives are always changing and we have to adapt. But in a weird way, that's also kind of beautiful? Like, Erpenbeck says it's okay to not know everything about ourselves or the world around us, and that's what makes life so interesting. Her writing is like a big puzzle and I love trying to figure out how all the pieces fit together. It's all about finding the beauty in the unknown and being open to new ideas and experiences 
and I'm still reeling from the experience. The way she weaves together these everyday observations with deeper philosophical questions is like watching a masterful puzzle being slowly revealed piece by piece 
. It's all about how things disappear, but not just objects, also people, identities... it's like Erpenbeck is holding up a mirror to our own existence and inviting us to think about the what-ifs and the maybes of life. The writing is so lyrical and evocative, it's like you're sipping tea with her at a quaint German café 
️, sharing stories and ideas over steaming cups... anyway, I reckon 'Things That Disappear' is one book that'll stay with me for a long time, making me question everything from the pastries I eat to my own sense of self 
I'm totally loving Jenny Erpenbeck's 'Things That Disappear' right now 
. And I love how she leaves some things up to our imagination - it makes you really think about what's going on. Like, that drip-catcher thing? So sad 
. It's like, we're all just trying to hold onto things, but they always slip away from us. Time is crazy, man 
. This book is like a masterclass in observation and introspection - I'm totally inspired to think more deeply about the world around me 
. I particularly enjoyed how she uses relatable examples, like the splitterbrötchen pastry, to illustrate complex ideas 
. It's amazing how she can make you think deeply about the world around us in a non-preachy way 
. Her writing style is so engaging and inviting, it's like she's having a conversation with you (which is exactly what she does, by leaving interpretation up to the reader) 
. Overall, I'd say 'Things That Disappear' is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the human experience 
. What I find really interesting is how she uses these fragments of observation to explore bigger ideas, it's like she's distilling complexity into something that feels ridiculously simple yet incredibly profound 
, and it's honestly the most relatable thing ever! Like, who hasn't tried to "assist" in the kitchen with disastrous results? Anyway, back to Jenny Erpenbeck... her writing style is so interesting, like she's speaking directly to you, but also leaving room for interpretation. It's like trying to solve a puzzle while sipping tea 
, I guess that's one way to get old articles noticed 
. it's interesting how she took this observational journalism style and infused it with all this deeper philosophy stuff. i mean, who knew the disappearance of a pastry could be so profound? 
.
? that's more than the time spent reading a book (avg 3 hrs 45 mins) 
they're wild 
. now, back to Erpenbeck's book... i love how she explores the human experience through everyday observations 
. btw, have u seen those infographics on the importance of self-care during busy periods? 
they're so eye-catching 
It makes me think about all the things that are slipping away from us - our youth, our memories, even our sense of identity 
Get on it! #JennyErpenbeck #ThingsThatDisappear #BookLovers #PhilosophyInLiterature #ReadingIsLife
And I love how she leaves room for interpretation, it's like she's inviting us to fill in the gaps and make our own connections 
especially the part about east germany after the berlin wall fell it's like she's asking why do we remember some things and forget others 
and then there's this whole theme of memory and time and how it all gets lost in limbo lol... i don't even know how to process all these thoughts but erpenbeck makes u wanna keep reading to try and figure it out 
The way she uses these short, fragmented pieces to provoke introspection in the reader is like, pure poetry 
.