I’m not a writer…I just write.
Christoph Simon
Christoph Simon was born in 1972 in Emmental, Switzerland. After travels through the Middle East, Poland, South America, London and New York, he has settled in Berne. His first novel, Franz, or Why Antelopes Run in Herds (2001) has sold over 10,000 copies, while Planet Obrist (2005) was nominated for the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize. Zbinden’s Progress is his fourth and already highly acclaimed book.
And Other Stories 2012 Title
Zbinden’s Progress
Lukas Zbinden leans on the arm of Kâzim, as they walk slowly down the steps towards the door of his old people’s home. Step by step, the irrepressible Lukas recounts the life he shared with his wife Emilie and his son. She loved to walk in the countryside; he loved towns and meeting strangers. Different in so many ways, what was the secret of their life-long love? And why is it now so hard to talk to his son?
Gradually we get to know a man with a twinkle in his eye and learn the captivating story of a man, his late wife, their son and the many people he has met along the way. Zbinden’s Progress is heart-rending, heart-warming and hilarious.
More information
- Zbinden’s Progress was one of the books discussed in the German-language Reading Group for Spring 2011. Readers loved its charm and emotional pull. Its original title is Spaziergänger Zbinden.
- If you subscribe to And Other Stories now, you will receive one of the limited number stamped, early copies of this book and 3 other And Other Stories 2012 titles. Find out about subscribing to upcoming titles here.
Praise for Christoph Simon
Coming soon.
I loved this book – it’s an entertaining story about a charming old man chatting away to his carer, but at the same time it is a truly powerful and moving book about relationships. The unusual narrative perspective really works – the whole book is one continuous monologue by Zbinden, so the reader really gets to know this man. And the denouement will really catch you off your guard (although possibly slightly less so, now that I’ve said that!)
I liked the way the book Spaziergänger Zbinden is presented as a physical object. Its narrator sounds like an amiable old man, but I’m sure in real life he would come across as a nutter (I’m thinking of the scene at the tram stop, for example). Also not sure what we gain from the prologue.
I love the way we only hear one side of things: the narrator who, as Joel and Sorcha point out, is amiable and charming and somewhat eccentric. He knows not everyone shares his opinions, or even wants to listen, but that doesn’t put him off sharing them!
And yet, as you, Sorcha, brought up when our reading group met, this character trait is bound up intimately with the story of Zbinden’s communication with his family. (I won’t say any more than that, else I’d give too much away!) So, for me, as well as being a pure delight, the book really pulls on your heartstrings.