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Gilgi is a chipper young secretary with ambitious dreams and ideals, living through the Weimar Republic in Cologne. She's driven by a strong sense of independence, she expertly knows how to divert her boss' advances, she can party until 5am at the carnival, yet still diligently visit her language classes. All of this is challenged when she falls in love and is confronted with the rise of the depression in her city.
I just discovered Irmgard Keun, and this book and Gilgi's voice felt so fresh, despite it being written in 1931. Obviously it's a book of its time, but the sentiments, and Gilgi's quest for female independence still feel modern. The ending was devastating in so many ways, and yet still she manages to build herself a path out of it.
The German audiobook warrated perfectly and with so much flair by Camilla Renschke.
