Sister Europe: A Novel

An irresistible and poignant novel about the upper echelons of Berlin society, a grand literary celebration, and the afterparty that upends the night and carries a group of guests deeper into the cityNaema, an elderly princess dedicated to her pet causes, is in a bind: struck by a malady that maroons her in Montreux, shes unable to host an exclusive gala dinner in Berlin to honor the author Masud alHuzeil for his lifetime achievement in Arabic literature. Not only is she unable to attend, RSVPs have been slow to materialize, and shes reduced to begging the ancient awardwinner to find some attendees at the last minute. Masud invites his old friend Demian, a native Berliner, who in turn invites his two best friends: the troubled innocent Livia and an American publisher, Toto, who will do anything for a free meal.But Toto doesnt come alone. In tow are his much younger Internet dateshes stood him up often enough to be nicknamed the Flakeand Demians fifteenyearold daughter, Nicole. Not to mention the cop whos been trailing Nicole since she left the redlight district. Presiding over the affair is Naemas infinitely rich, endlessly disaffected grandson, Prince Radi, whose catastrophic pass at Nicole culminates in an epic midnight food run that changes all their lives.With sophistication and tenderness, Nell Zink weaves a vividly colored tapestry of a milieu at odds with itself, taking her trademark ambiguity, daring, and humor to new heights.