Judith Hermann Unveils Her New Novel at Leipzig Book Fair's Main Event

Acclaimed author Judith Hermann will present her latest novel, 'I Want to Go Back in Time', at the Leipzig Book Fair's main event on Friday, March 20, 2026. The event, part of the Literary Spring Highlights, explores her grandfather's wartime past and the silence surrounding it. Admission is free for fair ticket holders, with a live stream available on YouTube for wider access.

Hermann's new book, published by S. Fischer Verlag at the end of February, blends autobiography with an examination of German memory. It centers on her grandfather—a Waffen-SS member stationed in Radom, Poland, in 1941. Born in Berlin in 1904, he died in 1964, leaving behind little more than a single photograph of himself on a motorcycle in the city.

The novel delves into his role in constructing the Radom ghetto, a period shrouded in family silence. Hermann, a celebrated writer with awards like the Kleist Prize and the Friedrich Hölderlin Prize, confronts the gaps in postwar narratives through her work. The discussion will take place in Hall 5, Stand G500, with editor Klaus Hillenbrand moderating the conversation.

Attendees must hold a valid Leipzig Book Fair ticket, though no additional fee applies. Those unable to join in person can follow the event live on YouTube, ensuring broader participation in the literary discussion.

The event offers a chance to engage with Hermann's exploration of history, memory, and familial legacy. Her novel, set for release just weeks before the fair, will be available through S. Fischer Verlag. The discussion marks a key moment in the Literary Spring Highlights programme, drawing attention to unresolved questions of Germany's past.