Heinz Strunk: A Horrortrip to Heidelberg

Heinz Strunk's latest novel, "Memories of Heidelberg," plunges a long-married couple into a kafkaesque short vacation, offering a darkly absurd, comically tragic, and ultimately sad portrayal of a failing relationship.

The story centers on Bertram and Isolde, married for 18 years, whose connection has long since soured. Isolde has ceased all sexual relations with Bertram, finding even the thought nauseating, while Bertram grapples with a mix of resentment and faint hope, consuming his frustrations through "wonderful, delicious fats" in a process he calls "eating in a rage."

Their short trip, orchestrated by Strunk, begins under a dark cloud. The couple checks into an overpriced hotel devoid of staff or other guests, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. Their dining experiences on the restaurant ship "Karolina" become progressively more uncomfortable, yet Isolde insists on returning each evening, escalating the tension until Strunk ignites the explosive situation.

"Memories of Heidelberg" is described as a torturous read, not due to its literary quality, but because of the protagonists' inescapable sadness and their inability to counter a malevolent world. Strunk, however, impresses with his absurd humor, linguistic flair, and a merciless yet understanding gaze at human frailties. The review questions whether one would choose to read such a novel on vacation, especially if married, but suggests it might be precisely the right time.

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Wonderful fats, delicious fats, fats that surround and seal the heart and arteries. He calls it eating in a rage.