Literary Fiction
September 2011
Die gelbe Perlenkette
by Tatin Giannaro
A young woman comes to Berlin in the 1970ies, not speaking any German. The story follows her quest for happiness, love, and a self-determined life, symbolized by a yellow pearl necklace, against all obstacles in the foreign German society. It’s a narration about love in a foreign land and about the courage to fight for her own paradise in a foreign society. Young Greek Adeline is searching for a better life and happiness in Berlin’s sparkling world. The foreign language, unknown conventions of society and Fritz are in her way. Alone and desperate, she finally accepts his proposal to marry him. Why “The Yellow Pearls” is important: The story narrates the experience of migration to Germany in the 1970ies and is very current with the ongoing migration streams across the world. It depicts German society and culture during the 1970ies. It shows the departure of a young woman to a foreign country and the struggle to survive in the new environment, and to find a self-determined life in an unknown, sometimes hostile society.
