The newspaper opens with a critique of Botho Strauß’s new book, noting his claim that the work pursues “Verklärung” rather than enlightenment, which the reviewer argues misrepresents the substantial self‑observation present in the text.
Elena Witzeck examines Julia Ebner’s “Von Fitness zu Faschismus – Gefahren extremer Männlichkeit” (Suhrkamp), arguing that the author portrays fitness as a recruitment vehicle for radicalised men, rather than a neutral health practice.
Marie Serah Ebcinoglu discusses Colson Whitehead’s concluding volume “Cool Machine” (Hanser), describing it as the final chapter of his Harlem trilogy and summarising the narrative of New York gangsters targeting furniture dealer Ray Carney.
Anna Weiß reviews Ilija Matusko’s “Jugo” (Suhrkamp), positioning the novel as a German counterpart to French sociological autofiction and highlighting its exploration of a father’s return to a vanished homeland.
Each review situates the books within broader cultural debates, from the politics of masculinity to post‑national identity, underscoring the newspaper’s role in shaping contemporary literary discourse.