Mitgift

A large family novel that makes the traces of German history visible.

For seven generations in a row, the Leeb family has managed their farm in the Lower Saxony province. Ultimately, it is about preserving the family legacy – despite all historical upheavals. However, the sacrifices that each individual must make are kept silent. Henning Ahrens tells the story of a family and paints a panorama of the rural agricultural world of the 20th century.

Gerda Derking is familiar with death. For years, she has prepared the deceased of the village, but in August 1962, she would prefer to close the door again immediately. Because standing before her is Wilhelm Leeb – of all people, the one who left Gerda so many years ago to secure the daughter of farmer Kruse with a large dowry. Wilhelm, who went to war as a convinced Nazi and only returned from years of captivity in Poland. The man who became harsh towards his wife and children, despite their years of hard work to defend the farm and their lives. But now, a pain is etched on his face that goes beyond what is bearable. And Gerda Derking senses: The Leeb family cannot cope with this tragedy without her. In his epic family chronicle, Henning Ahrens addresses the wounds of the past century and tells the story of a family's doom with both gripping intensity and empathy.