The luck of the magician

Sten Nadolny's great novel about the 20th century.

"Every magic has a beginning": And the beginnings of the magician Pahroc trace back to the years before the First World War. Soon, Pahroc can walk through the air, and later he learns to walk through walls, conjure money, and be made of steel for seconds – all of which helps him survive the next war. Pahroc is one of the greats in his secret profession, disguised behind jobs such as radio technician, inventor, and psychotherapist. At over 106 years old, his greatest concern is passing on his art to his granddaughter Mathilda. Thus, he writes down his life for her. It is the wise, extraordinary story of a man and his very own way of resisting the disenchantment of the world.