Gestern ist ein ferner Ort: A Novel (German Edition)

After a stroke, Celia must find her way back to life. A part of her past has simply been erased. Feverishly, she tries to fill these empty spaces. However, her daughter Paula seems determined to prevent exactly that. She repeatedly avoids her mother's questions, especially when Celia inquires about her son Emilio. Apparently, Paula has also instructed everyone else to only tell Celia half the truth. But does she have the right to withhold her own life story from her mother?

Celia's journey to regain her past is not an easy one. The stroke has left gaps in her memory, and she is desperate to fill them in. She turns to her daughter Paula, hoping to get the answers she needs. But Paula seems strangely reluctant to provide the information Celia is seeking.

It becomes clear that Paula is actively working to keep her mother in the dark about certain aspects of their shared history. She deflects Celia's questions, particularly when the topic turns to Emilio, Celia's son. Paula has also apparently instructed others close to the family to only reveal partial truths to Celia.

This raises the question of whether Paula has the right to withhold her own life story from her mother. Celia is struggling to regain her footing after the stroke, and the gaps in her memory are a source of deep frustration. She needs the support and understanding of her loved ones, but instead, she finds herself facing evasion and secrecy.

The dynamic between Celia and Paula is complex and laden with tension. As Celia tries to piece together her past, she is met with resistance from the very person who should be helping her the most. The reader is left to wonder what could be driving Paula's behavior and whether her actions are ultimately justified or not.

The story highlights the challenges faced by individuals who have experienced a significant life-altering event, such as a stroke, and the impact it can have on their relationships with family members. It explores the delicate balance between the right to privacy and the need for transparency, especially in the context of a parent-child relationship.

Overall, the narrative encourages the reader to consider the various perspectives and motivations at play, and to reflect on the complex nature of human relationships and the ways in which the past can shape the present.

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