Portrait of the Mother as a Young Woman - Softcover

"The book's last paragraph, overtly expressing nothing more than the young woman's intention to write a letter, is one of the most moving conclusions I've ever read." Nicholas Lezard, The Guardian "For, ultimately, it is what we know about the tragedy of World War II, and what Margherita does not, or will not ... that gives this miniature its power." Chris Waywell, Time Out "Jamie Bulloch's excellent translation keeps the supple and rhythmic flow of Delius's language. This is a small masterpiece." Helmut Schmitz, TLS "Delius understands the forces that shape Germany and has the gift to articulate joy, beauty and love." Rosie Goldsmith, The Independent "Portrait of the Mother as a Young Woman is a beautifully crafted work of superb psychological intensity and proof, if it was needed, of the potency of the written word." Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Evening Post

Rome, one January afternoon in 1943. A young German woman is on her way to listen to a Bach concert at the Lutheran church. Innocent and naive, the war is for her little more than a daydream, until she realizes that her husband might never return. This is a mesmerizing psychological portrait of the human need to safeguard innocence and integrity at any cost - even at the risk of excluding reality. ------- Why Peirene choose to publish this book: 'I was simply enthralled by the structure of this narrative; a single 117-page long sentence with a beautifully clear rhythm. At the same time it's a compelling and credible description of a "typical" young German woman during the Nazi era. If we can relate to her we come close to understanding the forces that were shaping an entire generation.' Meike Ziervogel, Publisher