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Esther Schüttpelz's novel 'Grüne Welle' explores domestic violence through a woman's nighttime drive

publication · 2026-03-29

Esther Schüttpelz, born in 1993 in Werne, transitioned from practicing law to becoming a writer. Her second novel 'Grüne Welle' follows a woman driving home alone after a cinema visit with a friend. The protagonist becomes lost due to road detours, moving further from her home and husband. A continuous series of green traffic lights prevents her from turning back. The narrative gradually reveals itself as a story about domestic violence. Schüttpelz, who previously worked as a lawyer, highlights the lack of understanding and protection for victims. She advocates for improved legal frameworks to address this issue. The author suggests that every woman potentially faces danger within her own home. The novel was recently published and discussed in an interview with Freitag magazine.

Key facts

  • Esther Schüttpelz was born in 1993 in Werne
  • She studied law and worked as a lawyer before becoming a writer
  • Her second novel 'Grüne Welle' was recently published
  • The novel tells the story of a woman driving home alone at night
  • The protagonist gets lost due to road detours
  • The story explores themes of domestic violence
  • Schüttpelz criticizes the lack of understanding for victims
  • She advocates for better legal protections against domestic violence

Entities

Artists

  • Esther Schüttpelz
  • Hannah Kämpfer
  • Goethe
  • Franz Kafka
  • Bernhard Schlink
  • Juli Zeh

Institutions

  • Freitag

Locations

  • Werne
  • Germany

Sources