Peter Murmann

Books, Fiction

And the birds rained down

17 August 2025

I am not sure how I became the owner of this book. I found it on my bookshelf this summer.
The only thing that was clear is that it was bought in my local bookshop because of its label
on the back cover. Did I buy it? I typically do not buy contemporary novels because I want
novels to have withstood the test of time before I give them my attention. Did someone give
it to me as a present? This is possible. I live in the summer, surrounded by woods, in a
wooden house.

Books, Fiction

Inkheart

30 March 2025

I was researching how many copies of the Swiss children’s book Heidi have been sold worldwide, as I once heard it was the most popular German-language book ever. During this process, I came across Cornelia Funke, who is listed as a bestselling children’s book author from Germany. I had never heard of her, and my curiosity was piqued. She wrote many popular children’s books, but Inkheart is her most famous one because it was also turned into a Hollywood motion picture. I just finished reading this wonderful book. What appealed to me most is that the story celebrates the love of books.

Books, Fiction

To live

2 January 2025

This Chinese novel is deeply moving. The writing is very simple, but it manages to pierce through one’s heart. Set during the Civil War in China, it tells the story of a farmer who gambled away his father’s land and tries to make a living in an increasingly difficult context. First, he is forcefully inducted into the Nationalist army. Then, when the Communists take over, things improve for a while before turning dire. We accompany Fugui throughout his life, starting from his early gambling habits to his marriage and, eventually, his children.

Books, Fiction, Movies, Phantasy

RIP Eric Carle - The very hungry caterpillar

26 June 2021

Eric Carle made beautifully illustrated books. Here is his most famous one made into a beautiful short film of 6 minutes. Click on picture below to play the film.

Books, Fiction

Amazing Short Story by Philip Roth

22 June 2021

I came across the podcast by the Paris Review entitled Making Light. In it is a wonderful short story by Philip Roth. It is one of the best writing ever. Period. I was glued to my chair. The podcast version of the story is superb. The story starts around minute 10 of the podcast. But I suggest you listen to the entire podcast. It is a treat.

Listen to Making Light.

Printed Story

Books, Fiction

Franz Kafka’s “Metamorphosis”

9 August 2019

After many years, I had the chance to reread Kafka’s Metamorphosis. When I first encountered the piece, I was enthralled by the thought experiment Kafka pursued in the story. What if you wake up in the morning and you have turned into a little bug, but you still have your full consciousness? You can still understand what human beings are saying but they cannot understand you anymore and they see you a non-human terrifying, little creature to run away from. How would you feel? How would you cope with this situation?

Books, Fiction

Love in the Time of Cholera

23 April 2014

When Gabriel Garcia Marquez died last week, I was inspired to get myself a copy of the novel that made him famous. I am now about 20 pages into Love in the Time of Cholera, which is available as an e-book on Google Play. So far the book is fabulous. Stay tuned for a full review when I am done with the book. May 2014:  It turned out the early promise of the book did not continue all the way to the end. I found myself struggling later, feeling that the story was constructed. It is not a book that I will give out as present.