Brothers

In Jackie Thomae's novel, we meet two German half-brothers navigating their manhood, reluctant to centralize the color of their skin as a way of defining how they see themselves and the decisions they make.

Format: Hardback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: DAS EDITIONS

In Jackie Thomae's novel, we meet two German half-brothers navigating their manhood, reluctant to centralize the color of their skin as a way of defining how they see themselves and the decisions they make.

- Mick, who teeters through the Berlin of the nineties. With no boundaries and no rules, the years blur into one big party. When it comes to an abrupt end, all that remains is a question. Time, money, friends, love - where did it all go?

- Gabriel, who advances through his career with purpose and ambition. Moving from Leipzig to London, he becomes a sought-after architect, starting a family and establishing a successful business. His CV sets him apart as one of life's success stories, until a mundane incident tips him over the edge. A monumental fall from grace, he is suddenly framed as an aggressor: a Black man accused of racism, a family man accused of assault. The hedonist waiting for his next high, the next wave to ride, the next distraction, and the overachiever who piles nothing but pressure and expectations on himself.

Besides being born in 1970, Mick and Gabriel seem to have nothing in common. Both children of their time, they are also sons of the same father: a Senegalese student in the GDR, who returns to Dakar leaving his sons with only his looks. And life questions to which both find their own, very different answers.

Mick, the younger of the two, is a free-spirited individual who lives life on his terms. He is a talented musician who plays the guitar and sings in a local band, but his career is often overshadowed by his partying lifestyle. He is a womanizer who enjoys the company of different women and has a reputation for being a bit of a player. Despite his carefree attitude, Mick is deeply troubled by the absence of his father in his life. He grew up without any guidance or support, and he often feels lost and alone.

In contrast, Gabriel is the more responsible of the two. He is a driven architect who has worked hard to establish himself in the industry. He is married to a beautiful woman named Sarah and has two children. Gabriel is a family man who values his relationships with his loved ones and strives to provide for them. However, his success has come at a cost. He has become increasingly isolated from his friends and family, as he spends more and more time working. He has also become obsessed with his image and reputation, and he is willing to do anything to maintain it.

Despite their differences, Mick and Gabriel are bound by a deep bond of love and loyalty. They have always been there for each other, no matter what. When Mick's life starts to spiral out of control, Gabriel is there to support him. He helps him get back on his feet and encourages him to make better choices. However, Gabriel's support comes with its own set of challenges. He struggles to balance his own needs with his responsibilities to his family, and he often feels torn between his career and his personal life.

As the novel progresses, Mick and Gabriel face a series of challenges that test their strength and resilience. They are forced to confront their past and their demons, and they are forced to make difficult decisions that will have a lasting impact on their lives. They are also forced to confront the prejudices and stereotypes that exist in their society

In the end, Jackie Thomae's novel is a powerful exploration of the complexities of identity and the challenges of navigating the world as a Black man. It is a story of two brothers who are forced to confront their own demons and their own prejudices, and who are ultimately able to find strength and resilience in each other. It is a story of love, loyalty, and the power of forgiveness.

In conclusion, Jackie Thomae's novel is a powerful exploration of the complexities of identity and the challenges of navigating the world as a Black man. It is a story of two brothers who are forced to confront their own demons and their own prejudices, and who are ultimately able to find strength and resilience in each other. It is a story of love, loyalty, and the power of forgiveness.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 136 x 205 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838221584