MARZAHN, MON AMOUR.

A woman approaching the invisible years of middle age abandons her failing writing career to retrain as a chiropodist in the suburb of Marzahn, once the GDRs largest prefabricated housing estate, on the outskirts of Berlin. From her intimate vantage point at the foot of the clinic chair, she keenly observes her clients and co-workers, delving into their personal histories. Each story stands alone as a beautifully crafted vignette, told with humour and poignancy; together they form a nuanced and tender portrait of a community. Katja Oskamp knows how to capture the essence of people beautifully. They really come to life in her portraits. A powerful book. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Germany