Very interesting book, the time it takes place in and the historical events are a main character in the story. Great use of the German language, possibly a great chance for translators to shine.

Interestingly enough, it contains several critiques to the German Democratic Republic, which can easily be extrapolated to "modern" societies.

With all its beautiful words, it poses several existentialist questions, and (this is no spoiler) there is a suicide. Make sure you're in a good head space if you want to read it!