Zbinden's Progress: Winner of the 2010 Bern Literature Prize - Softcover

Christoph Simon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 190827610X ISBN 13: 9781908276100

Publisher: And Other Stories, 2012

Synopsis

Lukas Zbinden leans on the arm of Kazim, as they walk slowly down the stairway towards the door of his old people's home. Step by step, the irrepressible Lukas recounts the life he shared with his wife Emilie and his son. She loved to walk in the countryside; he loved towns and meeting strangers. Different in so many ways, what was the secret of their life-long love? And why is it now so hard for him to talk to his son? Gradually we get to know a man with a twinkle in his eye and learn the captivating story of this man, his late wife, their son and the many people he has met along the way. Zbinden's Progress is heart-rending, heart-warming and hilarious. --- Winner of the Bern Literature Prize 2010

About this title

Review:

'Zbinden invites comparison with Leo Tolstoy's Ivan Ilych.' Alexander Starritt, " TLS"

'A jewel of a novel ... This book is a little Odyssey, a little Ulysses; the story of one day's journey, skilfully playing in tandem with another, life-long journey.' Barbara Trapido,

'With its slow pace and winning ways, Zbinden's Progress casually sidles up and takes its place alongside a number of remarkable recent works [on] the art of taking a walk.' Ian Sansom, " The Guardian"

'A tender, restrained celebration of life's simple pleasures, beautifully translated by Donal McLaughlin.' Lucy Popescu, " The Independent"

'Christoph Simon has produced a wonderful, heart-rending, beautiful book; witty, multi-layered and moving.' " Buchkultur"

'Simon's novel is a polished gem, with insight and perception that know no cultural bounds.' " Neue Zurcher Zeitung"

'Zbinden's Progress is a delight: a warm, wise, and compassionate book, as attuned to the complexities and mysteries of life as it is to the simple, pleasing colours of its beloved walking-frames.' Benjamin Morris, " The Berlin Review Of Books"

'It's a story that is not action-packed but is nonetheless full of human emotion and poignancy.' " Lizzy's Literary Life"

'...an idiosyncratic exploration of what it means to be an elderly member of society with an intense desire to participate in it.' Dan Eltringham, " The Literateur"
"Zbinden invites comparison with Leo Tolstoy's Ivan Ilych.' Alexander Starritt, TLS

"A jewel of a novel ... This book is a little Odyssey, a little Ulysses; the story of one day's journey, skilfully playing in tandem with another, life-long journey." Barbara Trapido

"With its slow pace and winning ways, Zbinden's Progress casually sidles up and takes its place alongside a number of remarkable recent works [on] the art of taking a walk." Ian Sansom, The Guardian

"A tender, restrained celebration of life's simple pleasures, beautifully translated by Donal McLaughlin." Lucy Popescu, The Independent

"Christoph Simon has produced a wonderful, heart-rending, beautiful book; witty, multi-layered and moving." Buchkultur

"Simon's novel is a polished gem, with insight and perception that know no cultural bounds." Neue Zurcher Zeitung

"Zbinden's Progress is a delight: a warm, wise, and compassionate book, as attuned to the complexities and mysteries of life as it is to the simple, pleasing colours of its beloved walking-frames." Benjamin Morris, The Berlin Review Of Books

"It's a story that is not action-packed but is nonetheless full of human emotion and poignancy." Lizzy's Literary Life

..".an idiosyncratic exploration of what it means to be an elderly member of society with an intense desire to participate in it." Dan Eltringham, The Literateur

About the Author:

Christoph Simon was born in 1972 in Emmental, Switzerland. After travels through the Middle East, Poland, South America, London and New York, he has settled in Berne. His first novel, Franz, or Why Antelopes Run in Herds (2001) has sold over 10,000 copies, while Planet Obrist (2005) was nominated for the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize. Zbinden's Progress is his fourth novel and won the 2010 Bern Literature Prize.

About this edition

• Publisher: And Other Stories
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 190827610X
• ISBN 13: 9781908276100
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 182