No time for second thoughts – a novel about reluctantly starting over in your early 60s
Fabian Fohrbeck, professor of cultural studies, has the ground pulled from under his feet at the age of 62: His wife and soul mate of many years, Dorothea, has died unexpectedly; his university is threatening to lay him off due to cost-cutting measures; he rears up – and almost breaks down.
Fohrbeck finds himself in a psychosomatic rehab clinic – grudgingly, but not without a degree of curiosity, too. In his sessions with his therapist, a multifaceted and loving picture of Dorothea and their life together emerges. His grief over the loss of his wife is accompanied by an exciting self-exploration that leads to repressed areas of his own family history. At the same time, he gradually gets to know his fellow patients. A surprising number of them are exhausted, drained, burned out – a reflection of modern working life. Fohrbeck realizes that a misguided approach to time must lie at the root of this development: A performance mentality, self-optimization and acceleration are the determining factors of our era. Yet there are new promises of happiness on the horizon – even for him. The encounter with the charismatic dance therapist and singer Lea turns into an erotic obsession for Fabian, leading him to new highs – and lows.
With a sharp eye and great sensitivity, as well as with humor and irony, Michael Schneider writes about goodbyes and new beginnings, grief and love – and shows a society trapped in its own paradox: Despite all the technology we have that’s meant to save us time, somehow we end up with none.
