Without Waking Up

This lyrical novella explores themes of trauma and identity through Maja's experiences, revealing the deep connections between language and belonging in Without Waking Up.

In Without Waking Up, the reader is taken on a poignant journey through the themes of trauma and the loss of maternal language. This lyrical novella, penned by the acclaimed Austrian writer Carolina Schutti, won the European Prize for Literature in 2012. The narrative centers around Maja, a young woman grappling with her identity amidst the echoes of her past. The story unfolds in a series of simple yet profound scenes, reminiscent of a Matryoshka doll, where memories nestle within one another, revealing layers of her existence.

Maja's life is marked by a profound absence: the absence of her homeland, her mother tongue, and the warmth of her mother. Raised in a foreign land by a reserved aunt, Maja's connection to her roots is tenuous at best. Throughout her childhood, she finds solace in fleeting moments with Marek, a Polish refugee who shares his own tales of love and loss shaped by the ravages of war and displacement. These connections serve as a fragile bridge to her fading past, yet they also highlight her ongoing struggle with belonging.

As an adult, Maja continuously feels like an outsider, both in her relationships with others and in her relationship with herself. Without Waking Up invites readers to explore the intricate relationship between language and identity, offering a poetic yet unembellished reflection on the complexities of navigating a world marked by loss and longing.