Frank Goosen - Lovely Rita
In his new novel, Frank Goosen goes to the pub. More specifically, to the "Haus Himmelreich," the old corner pub where stories and fates intersect: There's the bar cockpit with the Captain, the Tall Guy, and Willi Trommer, guys who have been sitting here since time immemorial. There's Gisela, the artistic bartender, Juniper-Anni with God's toolbox, Faris, the comedian, Harry, the old social democrat, Carlo, who looks like Cat Stevens, or the Countess, who has seen the whole world but sometimes lives in an old song. Above all, there’s Rita Urbaniak, Lovely Rita, the landlady who originally wanted to do something completely different, but then life got in the way. And her sister Chris, born during the war, who has always traveled around the world in search of what people casually call happiness.
Between the gentlemen's drinks and the ladies' group, grounding before drinking begins means it's time to pay and be friendly, and turning two sixes into a one on the second throw can only happen during dice games on Maundy Thursday. In "Lovely Rita," Frank Goosen narrates with his usual humor and warmth about an endangered biotope, the pub. And isn't it absurd that the foam crown on a Pils is called "Blume" (Flower), while the glass is called "Tulpe" (Tulip)?
Hallo, ich bin Maya.
