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The Late Life
At seventy-six, Martin is devoted to his family life with his young wife and six-year-old son when he suddenly learns that he has only a few months to live. Shocked, he searches for answers, wrestling with his feelings and existential questions about his legacy, the meaning of his love and what can be achieved in the short time he has left. Martin wants to do everything right, but later life is full of surprises and unforeseen challenges that he must face.
The Late Life is a story of navigating family, guilt, love and loss from Bernhard Schlink, one of the most masterful novelists of our age.
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
The Late Life is a story of navigating family, guilt, love and loss from Bernhard Schlink, one of the most masterful novelists of our age.
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2026
About the author
Bernhard Schlink
74 books2,495 followersBernhard Schlink is a German lawyer, academic, and novelist. He is best known for his novel The Reader, which was first published in 1995 and became an international bestseller. He won the 2014 Park Kyong-ni Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy
Overall the book is not so bad, but it feels like it lacks honesty. Probably the protagonist ends up being annoying because of continuously ignoring their feelings.
Maybe we all would react way more passively and be more tolerable in the face of death, but there is a significant lack of emotion here. And it is not fear for loneliness that is causing this, which would make sense in a way.
The relationship with the son is probably the most enjoyable, from both sides of the father and son.
I would assume facing death makes you feel lonely, among other things. The protagonist gets very close but not there.
I would say the book tries to tell a story of late life, but it focuses so hard on logical and practical decisions that leaves no room for emotion. It feels distant and strange.
PS. It is worth to note that I read a Greek translation of this.
Maybe we all would react way more passively and be more tolerable in the face of death, but there is a significant lack of emotion here. And it is not fear for loneliness that is causing this, which would make sense in a way.
The relationship with the son is probably the most enjoyable, from both sides of the father and son.
I would assume facing death makes you feel lonely, among other things. The protagonist gets very close but not there.
I would say the book tries to tell a story of late life, but it focuses so hard on logical and practical decisions that leaves no room for emotion. It feels distant and strange.
PS. It is worth to note that I read a Greek translation of this.
Review of advance copy
I loved this book.
Beautifully written, so evocative.
Beautifully written, so evocative.
October 28, 2026
I found that I could relate directly to the existential issues raised by Schlink.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews