Reading with Antje Rávik Strubel: A look at the media scandal!

Reading with Antje Rávik Strubel: A look at the media scandal!

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, a special event awaits literature lovers in Brandenburg an der Havel: The Brandenburg writer and translator Antje Rávik Strubel will read from her latest novel “The Influence of Pheasants” in the cathedral's summer refectory. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and is organized by the Förderverein Dom zu Brandenburg e.V. After the reading, there will be the opportunity to chat and chat over a glass of wine.

Strubel, who won the German Book Prize in 2021 with her work “Blue Woman”, addresses the complex dynamics of journalism in her new novel. Protagonist Hella Karl has been head of the features section of a renowned Berlin daily newspaper for seven years. Her professional downfall is triggered by the suicide of the controversial theater director Kai Hochwerth, for whom she recently wrote a critical article. For many readers, Hella subsequently appears to be partly responsible for the death of the director, who was criticized for abuse of power and sexual assault. [City of Brandenburg]

The scandalous case

Hochwerth's death becomes a public event that plunges Hella into an existential crisis. While she finds herself in a media-hit storm, she also experiences repression in her private life. Her clumsy reaction in an interview leads to her dismissal and a wave of outrage against her. Strubel portrays this playfully and ironically, but also with a sharp look at the media landscape. [Deutschlandfunk Kultur]

Hella Karl is a multi-faceted character who moves between guilt and innocence. In momentary reflection, she sees herself in the third person, which gives the novel a comedic touch. Those around her increasingly see her as a perpetrator, while at the same time she is caught in her own trap. With a critical gesture, Strubel not only illuminates the personal crises of her characters, but also the structural problems of the media industry. Her story raises questions about power and responsibility in journalism and how unscrupulous people in such positions can act. [literary criticism]

Symbolism of pheasants

The pheasants in the title are not just a decorative element, but also contribute symbolically to the narrative: they represent irony and happiness in the face of tragedy. In a hidden twist towards the end of the novel, Hella is confronted with a mysterious male pheasant, underscoring the sharp irony of the entire story. With a wink, Strubel conveys that even in the darkest moments, humor and hope do not have to be lost.

For anyone interested in learning more about the connection between media, power and responsibility, Antje Rávik Strubel's reading is a must-see. With a mixture of sharp humor and nasty satire, the evening promises to be an unforgettable experience for every literature fan.