The Lost Dream (Der verlorene Traum)

A great discovery: Mela Hartwig’s novel The Lost Dream,  written in 1943/44: Mela Hartwig invokes a world of yesterday, in strong contrast to the terrible time in which it was written during the Second World War.

Barbara works alongside her husband in the bacteriological laboratory. Their marital bliss is put to the test when, during a visit to the theatre, Barbara catches sight of a man to whom she instantly and irrevocably succumbs. Determined to draw closer to him, she spares no effort in seeking him out, attempting to win his attention and his affection. Overcome by emotional turmoil, however, she loses her footing and risks her entire existence – but for whom, and for what?

Hartwig’s novel depicts a woman’s attempt to break free from conventional female roles and expectations. Barbara’s drama unfolds entirely within her own mind, rendered in heightened and intense language. Part of this daring literary strategy – a bold move on Hartwig’s part – is her willingness to draw on the registers of kitsch, using them to intensify Barbara’s spiraling thoughts and inner turmoils.

Previous works sold to English, Danish, Italian and Spanish.