Peter Franziscus Strassegger

Stasia

A novel about Armin and Stasia who are uncared-for siblings leading rootless lives. Their parents are always on the move, running some kind of business venture in Europe. One day, they turn up to get their children who have been staying with their Norwegian grandmother; together, they travel from one country to the next, living almost like a circus family.

Their story is told from Armin's point of view, but he expresses himself above all in terms of his fantasy life. The tougher the outside reality becomes, the more uneasy Armin feels about staying inside his dream world. He has a strong bond with his sister, who is the firm centre of his life. When she suddenly vanishes one day, Armin finds it increasingly difficult to keep reality and imagination apart. The portrait of this unconventional family and their restless existence creates an enclosed world. It is an emotionally charged but also objective narrative about children growing up in circumstances which may seem extreme but are not without ordinary features. A grim novel about a lost child and his experience of reality. The language is simple and absurdly funny.