Kurt Prödel: Klapper

"Kurt Prödel's enchanting debut novel tells of this very special time in which we search for ourselves only to find the world instead. And suddenly someone is dead and childhood is over - and the fact that you still have to laugh on every page of the book is, of course, also really cool." Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre

Summer 2011: Klapper is sixteen and has spent the summer vacation alone in front of his computer. On the first day of school, Bear suddenly comes into his class - and sits next to him. Tall, strong and totally unimpressed by social norms, she is the only one who doesn't treat Klapper, the pale nerd with long hair and cracking joints, like an outsider. And just like him, she loves to gamble.

Klapper realizes more and more that he feels invulnerable in Bär's presence. But as his feelings grow, just like their friendship, they head together towards the day that changes everything. Years later, memories of Bear and what happened in 2011 throw Klapper's orderly life out of kilter.

Lemon iced tea, Counter-Strike, Kollegah punchlines - KLAPPER tells of friendship, loss, toxic masculinity and how exhausting it is to grow up between online and offline realities. A haunting, captivating and loving story about a life-changing encounter.

"So touching, so funny, so absurd, and so well written. The story of Klapper and Bear is a treasure." Caroline Wahl

Kurt Prödel, born in 1991 and raised in North Rhine-Westphalia, is an artist and author. He has made rap music videos, produced audio books and appeared on the late-night show Studio Schmitt. He is the drummer in the punk band The Screenshots. KLAPPER is his literary debut. He lives and works in Cologne."