Tldr: A disaffected Berlin hipster finds herself after moving to Brandenburg and falling for the charms of a neo-Nazi with a brain tumor.

Full review: German author Juli Zeh's novel follows a young creative from Berlin whose disaffection with life and love reaches its pinnacle in the first wave of COVID-19, so she does what many of her peers do: move out to the country. There she meets a host of disagreeable characters, most prominently her skinhead neighbour, a neo-Nazi convicted of attempted homicide.

His rough charm, woodcutting skills and young daughter lead the protagonist to overcome her initial revulsion and soon she is enjoying the simple life of driving pickups, guzzling grilled meat and drinking beer with her new Nazi friend. Her affection for him grows when she discovers he has a brain tumour. At last, a possible explanation for his hate! Except that it doesn't really explain anything, but to a young German it must be gratifying to have an excuse for her compatriot's behaviour without having to delve too deeply into politics.

Zeh's beautiful writing and witty wordplay papers over some of the protagonist's infuriating naivety and helplessness. With a few small exceptions this is poetry designed to humanize hate. One looks forward to a sequel in which the hero runs for local office and finds a way to steer the village towards a hopeful, less bleak future.