Dörte Hansen on Rural Life, Agriculture, and Her New Novel 'Broder'

In a conversation with NZZ, Dörte Hansen, a German novelist born in 1964 in Husum, elaborates on her recent book 'Broder'. The story revolves around twin brothers Bahnsen, a farmer and a veterinarian, who return from France. Hansen contemplates the evolving landscape of villages, forecasting that Germany will see a 50% reduction in farms by 2040. She expresses empathy for farmers, critiques the polarization in agricultural discussions, and highlights the divide between urban and rural areas, as well as the lack of political representation for non-academics. Sharing personal stories, such as her tendency to overfill salad bowls, she draws parallels to marital tensions in her narrative. 'Broder' delves into themes of change and endurance, inspired by the saying 'Ertrag kommt von Ertragen' (Yield comes from enduring). Additionally, she reflects on her earlier novels, 'Altes Land' and 'Mittagsstunde', and the importance of humor in her writing.