ich. und du.
eine novelle.
📘 About This Book
Thomas Hermann, 67 Jahre, nach dem Tod seiner Frau "Seniorenstudent", lernt an der Universität drei Studenten kennen. Heike, Lorenz – und den anderen Lorenz. Thomas ist der geschichtlich Interessierte und unter den vieren die treibende Kraft, der Ideengeber. Von ihm stammt auch die Idee, eine Gaststätte zu eröffnen. Die drei wollen Thomas dabei haben, der mittlerweile mit Heike liiert ist. Zu viert gehen sie das Projekt an. Was, auch zwischen den vieren, nicht ohne Probleme bleibt. Trotz seines Alters ist Thomas der Moderne unter ihnen. So scheint es jedenfalls. Seine private Lebenswelt ist aber für die anderen ein Schock. Mit dem sie unterschiedlich umgehen. Die Sätze werden zunehmend kürzer, die Erzählung beschleunigt sich und gleicht bisweilen einem Staccato.
📖 Summary
Andreas Kollmann's 2022 fiction novel, ich. und du., presents a compelling and deeply unconventional look at unexpected human connections, spanning 124 pages of intense narrative progression. The story centers on Thomas Hermann, a 67-year-old widower who decides to reinvent himself as a senior university student following the death of his wife. In this academic setting, a world away from his previous routines, Thomas's path crosses with three much younger students: Heike, Lorenz, and another student also named Lorenz. Despite the vast generational gap, an unlikely dynamic forms among the four individuals. Thomas quickly establishes himself as the intellectual anchor and driving force of the group. With his deep fascination for history, he serves as the primary ideation engine, bringing enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to their interactions. This collaborative energy eventually births a daring entrepreneurial venture: the decision to open a gastropub together. The younger students insist on having Thomas fully involved in the project, especially since Thomas and Heike have developed a romantic relationship along the way. Embarking on this business venture as a foursome, however, proves far from straightforward. The collective project inevitably breeds friction, testing the boundaries of their newly forged personal and professional bonds. Complicating matters further, the initial perception of Thomas as a progressive, modern figure begins to fracture. While he might appear to be the most culturally or chronologically advanced among them in certain ways, the reality of his private domestic life comes as a profound shock to the younger trio. As this hidden domestic reality is uncovered, Heike and the two Lorenzes react in strikingly different ways, forcing all of them to reevaluate who Thomas truly is and what their alliance actually means. As these interpersonal tensions mount and secrets are brought to light, the literary style of the novel shifts dramatically to mirror the mounting pressure. The sentences begin to grow progressively shorter, and the narrative tempo accelerates significantly, eventually evolving into a sharp, breathless staccato that propels the reader toward the book's intense conclusion. Kollmann crafts a narrative that explores the complexities of grief, the fluidity of age, the blurring lines between generations, and the surprising directions life can take when a person dares to step outside their comfort zone after loss. Through the tight lens of 124 pages, ich. und du. captures a precarious balancing act between ambition and disillusionment, proving that reinvention later in life comes with both exhilarating possibilities and hidden emotional costs.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Engaging and unusual character dynamics across generations
Fast-paced and structurally inventive narrative style
Explores complex themes of grief and late-in-life reinvention
Concise length makes for a focused and impactful read
⚠️ Cons
The staccato prose style may feel abrupt to some readers
The brevity leaves certain character backgrounds open to interpretation
❓ FAQ
Who is the main protagonist of ich. und du.? +
The main protagonist is Thomas Hermann, a 67-year-old widower and senior university student.
Who are the other main characters in the book? +
Thomas interacts closely with three university students: Heike, Lorenz, and another student also named Lorenz.
What venture do the four characters undertake together? +
They decide to embark on a project to open a gastropub.
How does the writing style change as the novel progresses? +
The sentences become progressively shorter and the narrative accelerates into a staccato rhythm.
How long is the book? +
The novel spans 124 pages and was published in 2022.
