Love, a rural world, and the fateful power of knowledge – Ralf Westhoff's vibrant and intense debut novel.
At the beginning of the 19th century, two farms in the middle of nowhere. Lisa and Maximilian marry, knowing each other like siblings, with Lisa being the only one who understands Maximilian's speech impediment. It is a marriage of necessity. Farmer Andres has disappeared, having mortgaged the farm for a passage to the New World and leaving Maximilian with massive debts. The young couple risks losing everything.
But Lisa awakens a fighting spirit. She sets off alone for the city and soon uncovers years of exploitation by grain merchants. The couple realizes they must question everything and learn to manage the farm anew to save it. As they take control of their fate, their love grows. Meanwhile, Andres continues his adventurous journey to America, struggling through unfamiliar lands as he comes to terms with the mess he has made.
A novel that, with great intensity, explores the power of knowledge and blends an archaic agrarian life with the story of an unusual love and self-liberation.
