Welcome to Litsy!

Today was ANZAC day in Australia and New Zealand. A day when we remember those who fought for our countries so we can have the sort of lifestyle many others dream of. I spent it in my garden and reading the story of a young German soldier in WW11 travelling on a train towards the Russian Front. It won the Nobel Prize for literature.It reminds me how futile war is, and how I wish for peace everywhere! Have a great weekend of reading everyone😍🌺

A German soldier on a train speeding to “Soon”, which he intuits is his impending death. He doesn‘t know how, but he knows when and where. As the reader you count down the miles and hours with him in dread. The closer Soon gets, the faster you read to witness the end.

Not a cheerful novella, tragic really, but there is a lot to chew on. Definitely introspective, not plot driven.

Always curious about other readers‘ notes, even if it is a library book. 😜 WTF

Our new episode is up! We discuss ‘The Train Was On Time‘ by Heinrich Böll, translated by Leila Vennewitz, introduced by Anna Funder. Part of the fab Penguin European Writers series. Loved this small gem! #BooksOnTheGo ??

A powerful novella about a man in his war to war, who has a premonition that he won‘t survive the assignment. His sense of impending death is visceral: reading it you feel sick & panicky, as he reflects on things he has never done & places & friends he‘ll never see again. The friendships he makes with 2 soldiers are touching in their honesty; the final scene pure & heart-breaking. It feels true & makes you question the cost of war. A humane book.

My current read - I read this on a train in Switzerland today and yes, the train was on time! (= Swiss precision 😉). The book is powerful so far. Coming up soon on Books On The Go. 🎧