Barbarian Spring

Freising, the protagonist of this artfully constructed debut novella by Jonas Lüscher, is heir to a factory in Switzerland. During a business trip to Tunisia, he observes elaborate preparations for a wedding at a luxury oasis resort. Rich young Englishmen from the world of London finance have brought friends and family together for a lavish party and are celebrating rowdily when a catastrophe occurs: The British pound plummets and the country goes bankrupt, with unforeseeable consequences that affect even Tunisia. As a Swiss citizen, Freising is spared the worst but nevertheless experiences how easily civilization may be disrupted. He receives his own lesson in globalization since his company runs a manufacturing plant in the North African country. Freising does not get off scot-free. Packed with suspense as well as comedy, this book is written in rich, supple prose and filled with unforgettable images. The author dissects human weakness and manages to reach the heart of today’s world.

“‘A story that can teach you a lesson,’ he promised me. ‘A story with incredible twists and turns, danger, adventure and exotic temptations.’”

"A shining literary debut"  Christopher Schmidt, Süddeutsche Zeitung

Barbarian Spring was sold to: Albania/Argeta, Belarus/Paperus, Bulgaria/Colibri, Croatia/Edicije Boži evi, Egypt/Al Arabi, Finland/Lurra, Great Britain/Haus Publishing (English world rights), Italy/Keller, Netherlands/Wereldbibliotheek, Russia/Ripol, Slovenia/Litera, Spain/Gatopardo, Turkey/Tekin Yayinevi, Ukraine/Osnovy