Die Bagage

Returning to the Austrian mountains so soon after [b:Verschüttete Milch 44560918 Verschüttete Milch Barbara Frischmuth https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553170486l/44560918.SY75.jpg 69156847] and I enjoyed this autobiographically inspired tale as well. Helfer reconstructs the life of her grandparents and aunts and uncles, as they live through simpler harsher times during WWI. They are the outcasts at the edge of the village - the ‘bagage' - a stigma handed down from previous generations. Yet the beautiful Maria is also the source of a lot of jealousy and gossip in the village. As her husband Josef leaves for the war, she and her children need to not only fight hunger but also overeager protectors. What subsequently happens, changes the family forever. I loved the way how both [b:Verschüttete Milch 44560918 Verschüttete Milch Barbara Frischmuth https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553170486l/44560918.SY75.jpg 69156847] and Die Bagage let you experience what happens through the eyes of children and through the stories that have been handed down. The children and especially wise-beyond-his-age Lorenz were very memorable. The audiobook was read by the author herself, her husky voice needed some getting used to at the beginning, but turned out to be perfect for this book, as it's a very personal family history dealing with the stories we tell and those we keep.