Translated from the German by Peter Arnds
2016 Longlist
A sideways view of the “coming of age” experience, Rapids is the story of a young man who moves to a strange city and finds himself lost in its warren of streets and squares. He is looking for his own identity–personal, political, and sexual. A series of encounters culminates with his meeting Anja: a strong, older woman, stuck in a relationship with another man she cannot bring herself to leave. Anja becomes an anchor for the young man, yet their relationship must remain a secret–and when that secret finally comes to light, their troubles begin.
(from publisher)
About the Author
Patrick Boltshauser is a playwright and novelist. Born in 1971 in St. Gallen, Switzerland, he grew up in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Since 1996, several of his plays have been performed in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Poland. Rapids is his first novel.
About the Translator
Peter Arnds is a Lecturer in Comparative Literature and Literary Translation at Trinity College Dublin.
Librarian’s Comments
A very special approach to the “coming of age” experience.