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'Lascia' by Judith Hermann

Listen to the Audiobook: Lascia by Judith Hermann

This week we will be reading 'Lascia' by Judith Hermann. The story tells of a young couple traveling throughout Italy who are nearing the end of their relationship. The story was written in 2002, other than that we dont know a great deal about its origins. 

Judith Hermann (born May 15, 1970) is a German author. She has published several books of short stories and her first novel was published in 2014. She is a leading figure of the Fräuleinwunder ("girl wonder") of women writers.

In an interview with Judith Hermann, Richard Lea writes; "I think as little as possible about what I'm writing, what I want to write," she says. She rejects the idea that it's a question of romantic inspiration, she "just starts. But I get one go at it. Just one. I have to get it right first time."

Read the rest of this interveiw here: Interview with Judith Hermann

Questions 

1. Thing about the characters in the story, how are we introduced to their personalities? 

2. In what ways does the writer establish not only the nature of the couple’s current relationship but their past relationship? 

3. Think about the character of Francesco, how does he drive the narrative of the story? and in what way does his involvement effect our understanding of the couple’s relationship?

4. What do you think about the tittle of the story? what is its significance?

5. Think about the conclusion of the short story, what is your impression of what is happening? and how does this affect the rest of the story? 

6. Think about structure of the story and the perspective of the narrative, combined with its ending, what impression are you left of the tale? what do you think the author was trying to convey?