Louise K. Böhm | Kaskaden

If Jojo could somehow erase her past, she would. Despite leaving the tedium of suburban life behind her, at university she’s still constantly afraid that someone might realise she doesn’t belong there. Only her work in the lab keeps her together. When Jakob comes into her life, Jojo discovers a new feeling of lightness. But then she hears from her former best friend, and suddenly it’s all back: the years spent with Yara, who she spent more time with than her own parents. Who always had the perfect comeback to any remark. And who vanished overnight, even though they’d planned to run away together. 

“Kaskaden” by Louise K. Böhm, who describes herself as a working-class child with a 9-to-5 job, explores class and belonging, human relationships and friendship. The author joins presenter Marilena Berends to discuss her debut novel, published in July by Penguin Books.