MEMORIES OF HEIDELBERG

  • Longlisted for the German Book Prize 2026!
  • More than 70,000 copies sold!
  • A romantic getaway as couple's therapy? In this laugh-out-loud novel, it goes spectacularly wrong!
  • Es ist immer so schön mit dir and Ein Sommer in Niendorf were both nominated for the German Book Prize, sold 240,000 copies altogether and spent weeks on the Spiegel Bestseller List.
  • Rights to Ein Sommer in Niendorf were sold to Denmark (forlaget em).
  • Great media coverage!
  • English sample will be available soon.

Springtime in Heidelberg! Bertram and Isolde, an aging couple from Oldenburg, are looking to treat themselves to a thoroughly delightful short getaway in the romantic Electoral Palatinate. Perhaps the trip will even clear the psychological smog hovering over their marriage. The boutique hotel is pricey but surprisingly subpar for the money; to make up for it, however, the two quickly discover a new favorite Italian restaurant. Full of charm and flair, the eatery is located on an old river boat anchored in the Neckar.

Yet, as their marriage visibly falls apart over the course of the week, their nightly visits to the restaurant ship turn into an escalating disappointment, a punishment, and ultimately, sheer torture. A demonic force breaks into their mundane everyday life with devastating power, leading to an absolute catastrophe - all while the vintage schlager hit Memories of Heidelberg plays on an endless, maddening loop.

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  • Publisher: Rowohlt Hardcover
  • Release: 17.07.2026
  • ISBN: 978-3-498-00974-8
  • 176 Pages
  • Author: Heinz Strunk

Awards

  • 2026: Heinz Strunk mit «Memories of Heidelberg» auf der ORF-Bestenliste im September
  • 2026: Heinz Strunks «Memories of Heidelberg» auf der Longlist für den Deutschen Buchpreis

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Buchcover von MEMORIES OF HEIDELBERG:
Heinz StrunkMEMORIES OF HEIDELBERG
Portrait von Heinz Strunk
© Dennis Dirksen
Heinz Strunk

The musician, actor and writer Heinz Strunk was born in Bevensen in 1962. He is a founding member of the comedy trio Studio Braun. His book Meat Is My Ve g has sold half a million copies. It has since been adapted into a prize-winning radio play, an operetta at the Hamburger Schauspielhaus and also a feature film. The Golden Glove topped the bestseller lists for months and was nominated for the Leipzig Book Fair Prize 2016. In 2016, he received the Wilhelm Raabe Prize. Es ist immer so schön mit dir and Ein Sommer in Niendorf were both nominated for the German Book Prize. His latest publication is Kein Geld Kein Glück Kein Sprit.