Title: Eure Heimat ist unser Albtraum
Author: Fatma Aydemir
First published February 22, 2019
202 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9783961010363 (ISBN10: 3961010366)
Rating: 4.54
Overview
In “Your Nightmare is Our Homeland”, Fatma Aydemir and Hengameh Yaghoobifarah collect the voices that need to be heard to prevent this country from becoming even darker. Thirteen authors come together to fight against the normalization of a concept that has been idealized by the far-right: homeland.
Through personal essays, they shed light on what it feels like to be perceived as a “threat” on a daily basis, the lack of trust in security authorities after the NSU scandal, and the constant need to justify oneself in the name of their country or religion. They also explore the intersection of racism and sexuality.
This book offers a harsh critique of Germany, a country that claims to be a model democracy but fails to protect or value a significant portion of its citizens.
Editoral Review
In “Eure Heimat ist unser Albtraum,” Fatma Aydemir dives deep into the complex themes of identity, belonging, discrimination, and racism that are all too prevalent in modern-day Germany. Published on February 22, 2019, Aydemir’s debut novel has made a significant impact on the literary world, highlighting the struggles of Muslim immigrants in a country grappling with a growing wave of far-right populism.
With an empathetic and compelling writing style, Aydemir takes the reader into the world of the young, second-generation Turkish immigrant Hazal Akgündüz in Berlin. As Hazal struggles to navigate the shifting social and political landscapes of her adopted home, she is seized by the sudden disappearance of her best friend, a Kurdish girl named Emine Özdamar, who she fears may have been targeted by neo-Nazis.
The novel explores Hazal’s identity crisis as she grapples with her German-Turkish heritage and her place in society, caught between two cultures that view her as an outsider. It also delves into the growing sense of resentment and hostility towards migrants and refugees fostered by far-right groups, and how it has contributed to the rise of hate crimes and violence against minorities.
What sets “Eure Heimat ist unser Albtraum” apart is Aydemir’s rich characterization and subtle exploration of complex societal issues. Hazal is a complex, multifaceted protagonist whose identity is shaped by both her heritage and her environment.
Other characters, including Hazal’s parents and Emine’s family and friends, are equally well-drawn and vividly portrayed. Aydemir’s writing is poignant and poetic, perfectly capturing the emotional turmoil and political turmoil of her characters.
The pacing of the novel is spot-on, with the suspenseful plot driving the narrative forward towards a satisfying conclusion. One of the few limitations of the novel is its occasional tendency towards didacticism, which can detract from the story’s emotional impact.
However, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise impressive work. Overall, “Eure Heimat ist unser Albtraum” is a haunting and powerful novel that explores issues of identity, discrimination, and prejudice in modern-day Berlin.
It is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the challenges faced by Germany’s minority populations in the face of rising far-right populism. It is a shining example of contemporary German literature at its finest.
We highly recommend it.
RATING: 4.5/5 stars.
