Book Review: The Granddaughter by Bernhard Schlink

Bernhard Schlink’s The Granddaughter is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the ideological fractures within modern Germany. The novel follows Kaspar Wettner, a devoted bookseller who uncovers a family secret after his wife’s death—she had a child he never knew about. His search for this lost connection leads him to his granddaughter, Sigrun, who has been raised in a neo-Nazi household.

Schlink masterfully dissects Germany’s divided past and its lingering wounds, showing how generational trauma and extremist ideologies persist. Kaspar’s efforts to bond with Sigrun and steer her away from hate are both moving and heartbreaking, illustrating the complexity of redemption. With nuanced characters and a gripping narrative, The Granddaughter is a sobering yet hopeful meditation on reconciliation in a fractured world.