22 Bahnen

CAROLINE WAHL
22 BAHNEN / 22 LENGHTS

A Novel, ca. 244 pages
Spring 2023
English sample available

"I've been whizzing through 22 Lengths and I'm absolutely thrilled. Heartwarming, fine, merciless and really beautiful at the same time." ALINA BRONSKY
“22 Lengths is an accomplished debut by Caroline Wahl, an exciting new voice in German fiction. A suspenseful and eminently readable story that grapples with serious themes, it offers a sharp portrayal of small-town attitudes and the struggles faced by a young woman on the cusp of adulthood.” New Books in German
‘This story credibly gets across the challenges faced by Tilda, a young woman left to bring up her sister because of her mother’s alcoholism. Tilda’s lack of self-pity and humour carry the story, which is ultimately heartwarming and positive. It also provides some insights into what it’s like to be an outsider growing up in a small provincial community.’ – Lucy Jones, translator

„Such a terrific debut! I was totally touched by the story of Tilda!
The inseparable bond of the two sisters, the way they deal with the topic of alcoholism and last but not least the fantastic writing style of the author! Definitely a book that I will be recommending to everyone!“ Swaantje Kohlwes, Findorffer Bücherfenster, Bremen


The Empowerment of Two Sisters: a Compelling, Luminous Debut

Tilda’s days follow a strict schedule: the supermarket till, maths homework, the swimming pool, cooking, looking after her 10-year-old
sister Ida — and, on bad days, her mother too. The three of them live in the saddest house on Fröhlichstraße in a small town which Tilda
loathes. After all, someone has to be there for Ida, someone has to earn money, take responsibility. They have no father in their lives anymore
and their mother is a depressive alcoholic; she tries, but the situation runs away from her more and more. Then Tilda is offered a PhD
position in Berlin, and her future flashes before her, promising freedom and possibility. But how can she leave Ida alone with their
mother? And when Viktor, Ivan’s older brother who Tilda used to be friends with, appears, her life goes off the rails. Viktor has an
unabashed grin and swims 22 lengths at the pool just like she does. Viktor is there for her when the situation at home spins out of control...

22 Lengths is a raw, tender story about shitty conditions, the devastation of family life, and finding happiness somewhere between
responsibility and freedom.

Rights sold to: Neri Pozza (Italian)