The Discovery of Slowness

Translated by Ralph Freedman

A brilliantly realised fictional ‘memoir’ of Sir John Franklin, the former Governor of Tasmania.

Nadolny’s masterpiece, a huge critical and commercial success in Germany and across Europe, derives from the life of one of the most fascinating explorers of the 19th century—Sir John Franklin—who, amongst other achievements, paved the way for the discovery of the Northwest passage, the sea-going route between Europe to the Pacific.

By means of Nadolny’s acute reading of history and his storytelling prowess, the reader accepts the improbability of this misfit’s development from awkward schoolboy to expedition leader, governor of Tasmania and ultimately, icon of adventure.

Nadolny has a unique take on character, plot and time—the many incidents of frenzied enterprise and murderous frustration are counterpointed against moments of stillness, slowness and perception, creating a fluid, provocative, suspenseful but constantly surprising read. Not only a riveting account of a remarkable life, The Discovery of Slowness is also a profound and thought-provoking meditation on time. The result is an extraordinary reading experience that justifies the novel’s reputation as one of the classics of contemporary German literature.

Praise for The Discovery of Slowness:

'Vivid and constantly surprising novel...Nadolny evinces remarkable empathy with his unlikely Odysseus...Excels at conceiving the feel of discovery.’

Washington Post

‘Amazing…A historical painting, a seafarer’s novel, a love story, an outcast’s story all in one.’

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

‘This remarkable, superbly translated novel derives from the life of the real 19th-century explorer John Franklin... [whose] adventures are conveyed with spellbinding skill.’

Publishers Weekly