Spielzone

Mehr zum Buch

Berlin in the late 1990s is a city caught between provinciality and vibrant scene life. In Neukölln and Prenzlauer Berg, particularly on Thomas and Sonnenburger Streets, these two worlds collide. Elida and Jason, two flamboyant characters in Neukölln, embody this clash, donning colorful 1970s attire and engaging in odd jobs, while mostly indulging in music, lounging in the bathtub, and their romantic escapades. Their whimsical lifestyle attracts the curious gaze of neighbors, including a conservative clerk who observes them from a cemetery mausoleum. The couple represents the unfulfilled desires of those around them, while the Thomas Cemetery becomes a hub for unconventional activities, from parties to clandestine spying. Despite this, Neukölln feels dull and almost derelict to the youth, lacking the excitement found in Prenzlauer Berg, which draws in student Katharina. There, she encounters scene enthusiasts in their twenties and thirties, perpetually hunting for trendy spots and flaunting their liberated sex lives. Yet, even in this vibrant setting, monotony and ennui creep in, leading them back to the timeless quest for love. This fast-paced patchwork novel explores Berlin's scene life, mixing event hunting, hipness, and the longing for something as traditional as love, filled with quirky tales and eccentric characters.