Philipp Oehmke's novel 'Papenburg' continues family saga with tech satire

Philipp Oehmke, a journalist for the German publication 'Der Spiegel,' has released "Papenburg," a novel that humorously continues the family saga initiated in his 2023 debut, "Schönwald."

The narrative weaves together the lives of the Papenburg and Schönwald families, a connection that may take readers a moment to discern. The plot follows Emilia Papenburg after a family dispute leads her to flee to New York with her two sons. Her husband, Ben Schönwald, consumed by longing in Germany's Uckermark region, eventually follows her. Ben is the youngest of the Schönwald family, while Emilia hails from the Papenburgs, a family whose patriarch, Thomas, amassed wealth by selling an app to Peter Thiel. In Silicon Valley, Thomas encounters Ben's older brother, Chris, who is serving as an advisor to then-President Trump.

"Papenburg" delves into the dramatic entanglements of an extended family, mirroring the themes of its predecessor. Oehmke skillfully satirizes contemporary phenomena, from the MAGA movement to the obsession with thinness. The novel captures moments like grandchildren educating their grandmother on inclusive language, or the tech-reactionary Thomas Papenburg inviting guests to his state-of-the-art bunker, only for his estranged, alcoholic ex-wife to appear unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Oma Ruth, visiting from Cologne, struggles to find ingredients for a deliberately sparse Christmas meal at a Union Square "Whole Foods."

Readers who enjoyed "Schönwald" will likely find "Papenburg" equally engaging, as it offers a witty and insightful look at modern family life, technology, and societal shifts through a satirical lens.