Anna Katharina Hahn, born in 1970, lives in Stuttgart. Her longseller “Kürzere Tage” (Shorter Days) was published in 2009. Her second novel, „Am schwarzen Berg” (By the Black Mountain) was shortlisted for the Leipzig Book Fair Prize in 2012 and was number one on the SWR bestseller list. According to German literary critic and TV personality Denis Scheck, she created “a great European tableau” with „Das Kleid meiner Mutter” (My Mother’s Dress) in 2016. Her novel „Aus und davon” (Out and Away) was published in 2020 and made the Spiegel bestseller list several times.
© Heike Steinweg
Suhrkamp
Finally offline again! Even before the lockdowns, the rehearsal of their women’s choir was a weekly highlight for Alice, Marie, and their older friend Lena. After only being able to sing together behind masks or not at all for far too long, they clearly realize what they have missed out on. Their friendships have survived the pandemic, but so have their problems with each other. Alice, who succeeds in almost everything professionally, suffers from the fact that Marie is no longer speaking to her. Lena, a retired editor, has no illusions about ageing. It is an open secret in the choir that most of the singers dislike Cora, who lives in precarious circumstances and uses the choir to look for work. When Sophie, a lonely student, turns up at rehearsals, a time of emotional upheaval begins. Especially for Alice, who suddenly discovers feelings that take her by surprise.