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Bulgarian writer Irina Papancheva started journaling at the age of nine and is now the author of seven books, including Brussels Naked – an experimental novel made up of twelve interconnected stories, each named after a neighbourhood in Brussels.
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In a special Easter Sunday episode, Irina Papancheva and Stefan Grobe meet behind the microphones of Brussels, My Love? to share their reading recommendations for the Catholic Easter holiday weekend.
Brussels, Naked by Irina Papancheva: A guide to navigating the EU bubble and Brussels
Brussels Naked is Papancheva’s latest book. It tells the story of Iris, a young Bulgarian journalist who arrives in the Belgian capital as a trainee at the European Parliament.
From naturist spas to lavish cocktail parties, the page-turner depicts Brussels in all its unpredictability: “Some of my characters have very different experiences. They show how Brussels can be cruel, but also how it can be enchanting and magical,” Papancheva explains.
Lázár: A Novel by Nelio Biedermann: Discovering Hungary’s history
Written by Nelio Biedermann (born in 2003), the book tells the story of a noble dynasty in Hungary throughout the 20th century.
Family dynamics and history come together in the first book of the Swiss author of Hungarian origins.
“That’s a fascinating story, and one wonders how a guy of 23 years old have that much reading experience that he can express himself the way. And it’s totally credible,” Grobe said.
The Enlargement by Robert Menasse: The future of the European idea
Friendship, power games, politics and history intertwine in the novel by the Austrian author Menasse.
“Menasse is the master of Witteism, very funny, very ironic style,” Grobe said.
A novel that explores the deepest questions of European identity and politics, which, according to Grobe, is a “must-read” for those who are part of the EU bubble.
Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Cold War Prophet by Edward Luce: Understanding the United States
Stepping away slightly from the European Union and turning to the United States, this book explores the life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security adviser to US President Jimmy Carter.
The Iran hostage crisis and the position of the United States in the world at the end of the Cold War raise questions and analyses that are all too easily comparable to the present.
Listen to the podcast in the player above or where ever you get your podcasts and let us know what book you are reading by writing to us at [email protected]
Additional sources • Georgios Leivaditis, sound editing and mixing.
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