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Clearing
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26'A superlative storyteller' The Times Literary Supplement
'Exceptional' Stuttgarter Zeitung
‘When are you coming?’
Four words on a postcard summon Lev from the remote village in Romania where he grew up under a brutal Communist regime. He travels to Switzerland to meet his lifelong friend, Kato, the outcast girl who fled her homeland as soon as she could and now works as a street artist in the cities of Europe. Now it's his turn to discover where he belongs - and to whom.
But there’s no going forward without looking back.
In this emotionally engrossing story of friendship, love and belonging, celebrated European novelist Iris Wolff turns back time through the individual moments that illuminate a life.
A bestseller in Germany, shortlisted for the 2024 German Book Prize, winner of the Uwe-Johnson Prize 2025 and of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Literary prize 2025.
'Exceptional' Stuttgarter Zeitung
‘When are you coming?’
Four words on a postcard summon Lev from the remote village in Romania where he grew up under a brutal Communist regime. He travels to Switzerland to meet his lifelong friend, Kato, the outcast girl who fled her homeland as soon as she could and now works as a street artist in the cities of Europe. Now it's his turn to discover where he belongs - and to whom.
But there’s no going forward without looking back.
In this emotionally engrossing story of friendship, love and belonging, celebrated European novelist Iris Wolff turns back time through the individual moments that illuminate a life.
A bestseller in Germany, shortlisted for the 2024 German Book Prize, winner of the Uwe-Johnson Prize 2025 and of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Literary prize 2025.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 27, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Moth Books for this ARC.
I think I can see this book being well liked. Perhaps if I was in a different mood, or time in the year, I might have enjoyed this more.
As it stands, I was not compelled to read this. I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t find the characters very engaging, and thus, the relationship/friendship felt a bit flat. It could also be the old starting a story at the end and then moving through the stages it took to get there. For this to grab me, to convince me to read on despite knowing what happens, the characters have to stand out, the chemistry undeniable, the plot a much more exciting premise. I understand the tone of this book but I don’t think it suited the structure - FOR ME, anyway.
It could also just be a mismatch thing - not every book is made for everyone in mind. Like I said, whilst I’m not a fan, I think there will be plenty of people who will vibe with this kind of story.
Clearing will be out on 4th June, and it’s worth mentioning how well it has done in being shortlisted for the German Book Prize in 2025, so don’t listen to me. I’d check this one out for yourselves.
I think I can see this book being well liked. Perhaps if I was in a different mood, or time in the year, I might have enjoyed this more.
As it stands, I was not compelled to read this. I don’t know if it’s because I didn’t find the characters very engaging, and thus, the relationship/friendship felt a bit flat. It could also be the old starting a story at the end and then moving through the stages it took to get there. For this to grab me, to convince me to read on despite knowing what happens, the characters have to stand out, the chemistry undeniable, the plot a much more exciting premise. I understand the tone of this book but I don’t think it suited the structure - FOR ME, anyway.
It could also just be a mismatch thing - not every book is made for everyone in mind. Like I said, whilst I’m not a fan, I think there will be plenty of people who will vibe with this kind of story.
Clearing will be out on 4th June, and it’s worth mentioning how well it has done in being shortlisted for the German Book Prize in 2025, so don’t listen to me. I’d check this one out for yourselves.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Clearing by Iris Wolff is a German Translated to English Literary Fiction/coming of age novel set to be rereleased in this new language format on June 4th, 2026. Thank you to Netgalley and Be Read Ltd. for allowing me to read and review this book early. Now. First off, this book got my attention from the first page because the chapters COUNT DOWN. I've never seen that before. That alone kept me intrigued, until it didn't. After a while, after the plot was obviously moving backwards scene to scene, I began to lose interest. I could just assume what happened RIGHT BEFORE the last chapter; context clues. I'm not sure if it's the way the book was written, with the ending being first, but the connections are fragmented. I don't believe in the chemistry OR the friendship. It's hard to keep the audience engaged when you don't have the climactic buildup. 2.5 ⭐
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My first introduction to Wolff but I loved this! Love the format of the book starting with end chapter and how the story is told backwards. Starting with that reconnection and continuing back through various moments of theirs over the years and moments of importance to main character. As a translated work, I think the translator did a good job in translating this work and gives good feedback to some words that have no translation. Thank you to Netgalley and Moth Books for the eARC!
May 23, 2026
Clearing by Iris Wolff was a unique read that captured my attention and held it throughout as it is written from the end to the beginning. It was almost like looking back and realizing the moments of importance that you didn’t know would be so important. Thank you to NetGalley and Moth Books for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really disliked this novel from the get-go. Ther writing was so stiff and distancing I couldn't connect with the characters. In fact, the writing style had all the hallmarks of "prestige" fiction that only appeals to prize judges, otherwise sists unread on coffee tables of people trying to impress their friends. If I could rate it no stars, I would. Hard pass.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews