Poging GOUD - Vrij

A reflection on family, history

Cape Argus

|

July 28, 2025

BERNHARD Schlink’s latest novel, The Granddaughter, is set ina reunified Germany, yet still full of bitter divisions after the end of the Cold War.

- BEVERLEY ROOS-MULLER

A reflection on family, history

His earlier, bestselling book, The Reader, was a masterpiece, and also one of despair; there was no time in which I thought it would end well and it didn't, even though I admired it very much.

The Granddaughter takes a while to reveal its message, yet the slow beginning is an important prelude: in the divided Berlin of the early 1960s a young student, Kaspar, fell in love with a girl in the Eastern sector and arranged to smuggle her to the West. Meanwhile she discovered she was pregnant and, fearing it would ruin her escape, gave up the baby girl for adoption. Later, they marry. Only after her death does Kaspar find out about this child, as he goes through her papers.

MEER VERHALEN VAN Cape Argus

Cape Argus

Experts warn of health risks amid dwindling water supply

AS the City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Directorate urges everyone to reduce water consumption due to dam levels dropping to 19%, experts warn that while rainfall is uncontrollable, prioritising the protection of existing water resources is essential.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

Cape Argus

Trump's withdrawal signals new US policy

THE US's decision to withdraw from 66 international organisations has been described as a political signal that rules and institutions matter less than the country’s personal interests.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

Sewer overflow causes chaos

WHAT was meant to be a fun day out turned into a smelly nightmare for families enjoying Llandudno Beach on Tuesday.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

Sharks searching for new ‘Butch’ or ‘Michalak’ to fire up listless attack

THE Sharks have sent a squad composed mostly of up-and-coming youngsters to Manchester to face Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

STUDENTS CROWDFUND AS NSFAS FALLS SHORT

Young learners resort to selling food and online appeals to cover university registration and living costs.

time to read

3 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

Ramaphosa: Jobs crisis keeps me awake

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern over the high levels of unemployment in the country, revealing that the issue often keeps him awake at night.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

Time to relook school expenses

EVERY year, as the school year kicks off, parents find themselves facing the same daunting challenge: the skyrocketing costs of education.

time to read

1 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

Cape Argus

Right to protest ‘under attack’ in UK

HUMAN Rights Watch (HRW) warned yesterday that the UK has “severely restricted the right to protest” in recent years and was expanding “repressive measures” against peaceful demonstrators.

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

Democracy is failing to deliver in Africa

ALGORITHMS aside, comments in public discourse that democracy is not for Africa increasingly surface on social media.

time to read

3 mins

January 09, 2026

Cape Argus

Zhipu Al’s successful IPO sets the stage for MiniMax’s market

LEADING

time to read

2 mins

January 09, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size