September - Ana Schnabl
Ana Schnabl: September
September is not only a tale about growing up and violence, but also about friendship, love, and writing, which make life bearable and have the power to ease pain and deter us from causing it to others. At first, Evelin's whole world is a large family house with little space. There, her father's threats and aggressive outbursts sink into the walls. When the scene expands to classrooms and school hallways, Evelin is struck by taunts that she tries to drown out with emptiness in her stomach. While outwardly she develops from a brilliant girl into a headstrong teenager and independent woman, holes are carved within her. The confidante – the narrator – reveals them with sensitivity. From Evelin's memories, saved phone messages, photographs, and diary entries, her story is drawn. Thus, from dense, precise language emerges a narrative that, even on a formal level – like Evelin herself – stiffens, strikes, drifts, crumbles, and pieces itself back together.