Alain Claude Sulzer's new novel explores the bond between two 'almost brothers' tested by late 20th-century crises

Alain Claude Sulzer's new novel, "Fast wie ein Bruder" (Almost Like a Brother), spans the latter half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of 1960s Germany, the devastating AIDS epidemic, and evolving art scenes.

At its core, the story explores a complex and anxious friendship between two boys, who are the "brothers" of the title. The novel opens in the post-war Ruhr region, where two families move into the same apartment building on the same day, each with an infant. The boys grow up as close as brothers, sharing their lives and activities.

Tragedy strikes when both mothers succumb to breast cancer. Despite the loss, life continues, and the fathers and sons remain united until a pivotal incident disrupts their relationship. Frank, one of the boys, discovers his homosexuality, a truth that is met with resistance in that era. His "almost brother," who remains unnamed and recounts the story decades later with apparent detachment, also struggles to accept this revelation.

The novel, a concise work of just over 150 pages, delves into themes of friendship, societal acceptance, and the impact of personal crises on relationships, all set against significant historical and cultural shifts.