Summary
Beat Sterchi: Rumenka
The Spaniard Ambrosio arrives in Innerwald, a Swiss mountain town, in the early sixties of the last century and experiences for the first time in his life what it means to be a foreigner: he faces suspicious looks, silence and mistrust. Ambrosio is directed to the Knuchel estate, where he will work as a day laborer. Although there is a language barrier between Ambrosi and the peasant Knuchel, they understand and respect each other, because they are united by their love for cows, especially Rumenka. Knuchel talks to his animals, cares for them and watches over them. That is why both the quantity and quality of milk are exceptional, which causes suspicion in the village. Because Knuchel resists, as much as possible, the introduction of musical instruments into his paradise. He also resisted the hostility of the locals towards the Spaniard. One day, however, Knuchel has to part with his wage earner, even though he is happy with him. Ambrosio finds work at a slaughterhouse in town. A completely new life begins for him in a cold environment. Seven years later, the former herd leader of the Knuchel estate, the cow Rumenka, arrives at the slaughterhouse. She is thin to the bone, apathetic, nothing left of her former pride. For Ambrosius, the world is finally falling apart. Four workers - a Spaniard among them - decide to escape from that world of slaughter and killing. A masterfully composed and written novel takes place on different temporal and narrative levels.
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