Am Hang

Markus Werner, born in 1944 in Switzerland, lives in Schaffhausen. "Am Hang" is his seventh novel. His books have been translated into several languages and have received numerous awards. So far, the following titles have been published: "Zündels Abgang," "Froschnacht," "Die kalte Schulter," "Bis bald," "Festland," and "Der ägyptische Heinrich."

The young divorce lawyer Clarin looks forward to an undisturbed Pentecost weekend at his holiday home in Ticino, where he wants to write an article for a professional journal. On the first evening, he meets an older man on the terrace of the Hotel Bellavista, a seemingly confused man, perhaps even a madman. They talk and debate deep into the night, gradually sharing their stories and love tales. What begins as a stilted conversation between strangers develops into a feverish, oppressive dynamic that neither Clarin nor the reader can escape. The circumstances under which Loos lost his beloved, almost deified wife are dubious, and this loss seems to make the world heavy and detestable for him. In contrast, Clarin lives lightly and joyfully. The two men could not be more different. How close they actually are only becomes clear much later. "Once you finish the book and understand what it’s really about, you immediately want to start reading it again... Hats off to Markus Werner." Elke Heidenreich, ZDF "Lesen".