Daniel Kehlmann 2009

Daniel Kehlmann (Austria) debuted at the age of 22 and has since written seven novels. He is often called a prodigy of German-language literature. His book Het meten van de wereld (Measuring the World) was an unprecedented success, published in 40 languages and selling more than 1.5 million copies.

In his new book Roem (Ruhm), separate stories intertwine and a game is played with reality and fiction, truth and illusion. In Roem, Kehlmann shows in what ways a person can lose themselves, either intentionally or by accident. He suggests that there are hardly any people who truly live in accordance with themselves.

The author is interviewed by Joachim Umlauf, director of the Goethe-Institut.