In Times of Fading Light by Eugen Ruge

In Times of Fading Light

Eugen Ruge

Alexander Umnitzer’s genealogical account traces four generations of his family over the course of fifty years, with each member giving voice to their side of the story. Yet this is so much more than a family saga. It is an enlightening tale which shines a light not only on the political state of East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, but also cleverly captures the inner politics of family life which I found so beguiling.

Extract
All my life, I’ve had a sense of not belonging. Although all my life I’d have liked to belong somewhere, I have never found out what I’d have liked to belong to. Is that sick? Do I lack some kind of gene? Or is to do with my story? The history of my family?
Parallels
  • Restless by William Boyd
  • Steven Conte by The Zookeeper's War