A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
The modern German classic that has shaped an entire generation.
A mother and her two teenage children sit at the dinner table. In the middle stands a large pot of cooked mussels. Why has the father not returned home? As the evening wears on, we glimpse the issues that are tearing this family apart.
"I wrote this book in August 1989, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. I wanted to understand how revolutions start. It seemed logical to use the figure of a tyrannical father and turn the story into a German family saga." - Birgit Vanderbeke
A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
Family secrets and societal change intertwined in Germany.
Who is this book for?
If you're interested in deep family stories that mirror historical upheavals, The Mussel Feast offers a compelling read. This novel uses a poignant family dinner to explore themes of repression, rebellion, and change, resonating with those curious about personal stories during societal shifts. Birgit Vanderbeke's sharp narrative captures the quiet turbulences of a family on the brink, making it a thought-provoking choice.
