Overview

• In a Braunschweiger Zeitung interview reported by dpa, Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre called the book world the dullest corner of the arts, describing it as “notorisch verklemmt” and run by “Langweiler und Bedeutungshuber.”
• He argued that prizes and stipends favor authors whose books are deliberately complicated and not enjoyable to read.
• He praised Caroline Wahl as a rare, outspoken presence and said her new novel Die Assistentin is her strongest work to date.
• He also lauded the film adaptation of Wahl’s bestseller 22 Bahnen, contrasting it with formulaic German comedies.
• Wahl responded on Instagram to what she called a smear built on an anonymous toxic review and said criticism surged as Die Assistentin, which addresses patriarchal abuse in publishing, arrived; both writers have readings in Braunschweig this weekend.