Photographer confronts loss and belonging in haunting German landscapes

In a reflective exploration of identity and belonging, a photographer named Pascal embarks on a journey to understand his homeland, Germany, after enduring the displacements experienced by his family across generations. Originating from Swinemünde, which is now known as Świnoujście in Poland, his family's history is marked by the profound impacts of political upheaval, with Pascal himself moving to Lancashire, England, at the age of nine. This rich tapestry of exile and longing shapes his narrative, as he not only seeks to create a visual representation of his attachments but also aims to examine the cultural dislocation tied to the redrawing of European borders post-World War II. The narrative intertwines with the lives of Pascal's grandfather and parents, who also grappled with their sense of identity. They each share a common experience of feeling detached from their native lands, with the phrase “separated from their dead” poignantly illustrating the loss encountered through migration and exile. Through his photography, Pascal's work acts as a conduit for his exploration of Germany, depicting various settings intertwined with memories of a homeland he has long distanced himself from. As he endeavors to reconstruct a personal geography, he also confronts the complexities of memory, belonging, and the idea of home. Moreover, the narration involves Ben, a British friend who serves as Pascal's ghostwriter, illustrating a dual perspective on the experience of displacement. While Ben, residing in Berlin, reflects on England as a land increasingly foreign to him, Pascal's health prevents him from directly engaging in the public recognition of his artistry. As he grapples with the challenges of relating to both past and present while expressing his artistic visions, Pascal asks Ben to transcribe his voice notes, which include contemplative recollections of travels, including encounters with strangers amidst the stark natural beauty of places such as Japan. Through Pascal's lens, the novel delves deep into the weight of physical and emotional spaces—a commentary on how rooms and islands function as metaphors for containment and refuge. The photographs of empty rooms, void of their owner, symbolize not just a pursuit of memories but highlight the paradox of presence and absence in a world saturated with visual culture. Ultimately, the narrative reveals the inherent struggle of connecting with a past that feels fragmented and distant, attempting to reconcile the longing for a homeland that shapes Pascal's identity and his sense of belonging in an increasingly globalized world.