I wonder if I missed something here. The beginning is gripping, the first half continues to intrigue and then... well, nothing much. It all becomes very grey and bland and ends up just petering out. Was that intended? If so, why? Perhaps there's some analogy going on here, with the life of the main character echoing wartime and post-war German society. If not, it's just disappointing. I will pass this on to a German friend and see if she likes it any better. ( )