Alina Bronsky Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

About Alina Bronsky

Hailing from the Russia and living in Germany, the author Alina Bronsky is a novelist who has been making waves within the publishing world for quite some time now. Reaching an international level of acclaim, she has managed to reach the top of many top-ten lists, becoming a favourite with both the public and critics alike. With a lot to say through her work, she has helped to usher in a new style alongside other writers in what is now known as the ‘Eastern Turn’ in German literature. Writing from her own perspective growing up, she has provided a valuable level of insight into the post-Cold War migration between Russia and Germany. Offering a first-hand account of this, she really does bring a unique perspective to the table, allowing others to learn and grow from her work too. Showing a real sense of empathy and compassion through her work, she has also created characters that feel fully three-dimensional too, resonating strongly with her audience. This insight of hers has gone on to reach a worldwide audience too, with readers from far and wide singing her many praises, something that will continue for some time to come with a lot more planned on the horizon.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1978 in Yekaterinburg in Russia, the author to be Alina Bronsky would grow up here, taking in a lot during her formative years. Using a lot of what she saw and experienced growing up, she would use much of it to inspire both her and her work throughout the years. As an industrial town located within the foot-hills of the Ural Mountains in Russia, it would come to shape much of her and her outlook in time. Spending much of her childhood living in both Darmstadt and Marburg too, she would come to witness a lot of German life during her upbringing too. This is something that would go on to become featured heavily within her work in later years, giving her an otherwise unique and insightful perspective on the previous divisions between the nations. Many of her themes and ideas have also come to reflect this period during her upbringing as well, giving her work a real sense of weight and importance. Reading and writing extensively from an early age too, she would go on to nurture her love of literature too, speaking both Russian and German fluently, another factor which has come to shape her outlook.

Attending medical school for a period of time, she soon dropped out to pursue her love of writing, as she went on to become an advertising copywriter and editor for a newspaper. This would allow her to further her craft, honing and refining her skills as an author, whilst also finding her audience at the same time. Sending her work to publishers, she would quickly have her talent recognised by a number of lecturers who also saw the potential in her work. Agreeing to get her published early on, she would soon go on to become a publishing sensation, soon reaching the level of success that she currently enjoys today. Living with her partner in Berlin, she lives with her children there, as she continues to work, putting out work at a regular and ever consistent pace.

Writing Career

Submitting her work to a number of publishers, Alina Bronsky would soon see her first novel published in 2008. This would be titled ‘Broken Glass Park’, and it would feature the story of a young seventeen year old girl called Sascha Naimann, as she struggles to adapt to her new life after moving to Germany from Russia following the murder of her mother. This novel was soon adapted for the big-screen, as the film would feature Jasna Fritzi Bauer in the lead role, giving Bronsky a high amount of recognition. In time she would use this success to go on and write her second novel, which would be called ‘The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine’, coming out in 2010. This would then mark her down as a definite writer to watch, as both the critics and the general public lauded her in equal measure.

Praised for her sense of gritty realism and down-to-earth style that’s easily accessible, Bronsky is known as a writer who’s straightforward and to the point. Getting right to the heart of her subject matter, she really brings her subjects to life, allowing them to essentially tell their own unique stories. Setting most of her stories in Germany too, she really brings to attention a side of life that would otherwise be unseen by many readers, especially in regards to Russian migrants living there. Known as part of the ‘Eastern Turn’ due to this, she has definitely added to the subgenre, moving it forwards in new and exciting directions. With a lot more to come yet, she will continue to write on into the foreseeable future, as her writing career grows every day.

Broken Glass Park

Marking her debut novel, this was the first title that saw Alina Bronsky arrive on the literary scene to much applause. First published in 2008, then again in 2010 on the 30th of March through the ‘Europa Editions’ publishing label. Translated by Tim Mohr for English speaking audiences, it would also go on to receive a cinematic adaptation as well.

Born in Moscow and living in Berlin with her two younger siblings, seventeen year old Sascha Naimann has gone through a lot. Recently orphaned after her stepfather murdered her mother, she has to look after herself and her two siblings, being given a weight of responsibility. Despising Vadim, her one time stepfather, for what he’s done, she longs to write a novel about her mother and her love for her. This is just the beginning of her coming-of-age story in Broken Glass Park.

Just Call Me Superhero

Brought out through the ‘Europa Editions’ publishing label once again, this would first be released in 2013 on the 10th of September. Telling the story of young Marek, it sees him coming to terms with a physical disability after being attacked by a dog. Seventeen years old he attends a support group, reluctantly at first, as he soon meets Janne there, who he promptly falls for. This then leads to him taking a new outlook on life as he says ‘just call me superhero’.