The Recent East by Thomas Grattan
The Recent East by Thomas Grattan is a lyrical and emotionally charged debut novel exploring family, identity, and the legacy of history. When a mother uproots her American-born children to reclaim her inherited home in post-Cold War East Germany, the family finds itself caught between past traumas and the unfamiliar tensions of a newly unified nation.
As the siblings grow into young adults, their personal awakenings are shaped by a landscape scarred by war, communism, and cultural reinvention. This is a novel about what it means to belong to a place, a family, and to oneself.
Book Bundle
Perfect for fans of The Great Believers, A Little Life, and Homegoing this is literary fiction that balances personal stories with historical backdrop.
Why The Recent East is a Must-Read:
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Multigenerational Narrative: Explores three decades of transformation and growth.
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Queer Identity & Self-Discovery: Beautifully rendered with depth and honesty.
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Evocative Setting: East Germany’s history seen through intimate, human stories.
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Critically Acclaimed: A debut praised for its prose and emotional complexity.
Memorable Quote (from the book)
"Some places are not meant to be escaped, only understood."
Translation (Sinhala):
"සමහර තැන් පලා යාමට නොව, තේරුම් ගැනීම සඳහා පමණක් වේ."
Translation (Tamil):
"சில இடங்கள் தப்பிக்க அல்ல புரிந்து கொள்ளவே உருவாகியவை."
Availability at Booxworm.lk
You can order The Recent East by Thomas Grattan online from Booxworm.lk or visit our Colombo store for a reflective and moving literary journey across borders, decades, and identities.
Physical Store Location:
180, W.A. Silva Mawatha, Wellawatte, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka
+94 768 46 2551
Visit: www.booxworm.lk
About the Book
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Title: The Recent East
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Author: Thomas Grattan
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ISBN: 9781250829580
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Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
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Published Year: 2021
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Number of Pages: ~384 Pages (Paperpack)
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Genre: Literary Fiction / Historical / LGBTQ+
