Peter Henisch's new novel centers on his mother, Rosa

Peter Henisch's new novel, "Mutter suchen" (Searching for Mother), places his mother, Rosa, at the heart of the narrative. The book is a deeply personal exploration, constructed from Henisch's own recollections, conversations with his mother up to her final days, and input from his siblings. Supported by photographs and documents, the novel aims to present a complex portrait of Rosa while simultaneously sketching a historical panorama of Austria from the interwar period through the 1980s.

The narrative begins with a dramatic account of the 25-year-old Rosa fleeing with her young son from the advancing Red Army. While the setting, Schratten, is fictional, it signals that the novel, despite its factual grounding, embraces fictional elements. This blend of reality and imagination allows for a compelling narrative arc, notably revisiting and expanding upon the initial flight scene in its conclusion.

Henisch delves into the life of a real woman who trained as a photographer but found herself relegated to the role of assistant by her husband, Walter Henisch, a renowned war and press photographer. The novel highlights Rosa's desire to be more than just a mother and housewife, exploring her aspirations and experiences within the societal constraints of her time.

The literary merit of "Mutter suchen" lies in its sophisticated use of perspective shifts. Henisch skillfully navigates between the emotional closeness of his childhood memories of his mother and the authorial distance he maintains from his literary creation, Rosa. This interplay, along with the incorporation of differing voices and the acknowledgment of conflicting memories, creates a rich and nuanced portrayal.