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Parting
'A new-found classic to rival Waugh and Isherwood' Lucy Hughes-Hallett
'Infused with the energy and the zest for life of youth' Philippe Sands
'A marvellous novella. Melancholy, hilarious, dramatic and fateful' Catherine Taylor
Paris, 1932. Two lovers, Raimund and Teddy, have just one day and one night to spend together before Raimund must return to Berlin.
A young German barrister, Raimund has followed the irresistible Teddy to Paris. Teddy moves effortlessly through the city's dazzling, bohemian social scene, where nights dissolve into dancing, cigarettes, aperitifs and plates of pommes frites, and mornings arrive long after noon.
Together, the pair roam through the city's cafés, restaurants and boulevards, from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower. They bicker and flirt, scold and kiss, celebrating their freedom but knowing nothing can remain as it is, as the hour of Raimund's evening train comes ever closer.
Parting is an exquisite autobiographical novel capturing the last fragile moments of love and freedom before exile, fascism and war. Discovered after Sebastian Haffner's death, it became an instant German bestseller and has been hailed as a forgotten literary masterwork.
A W&N Essential translated and with an introduction by Michael Hofmann
'Infused with the energy and the zest for life of youth' Philippe Sands
'A marvellous novella. Melancholy, hilarious, dramatic and fateful' Catherine Taylor
Paris, 1932. Two lovers, Raimund and Teddy, have just one day and one night to spend together before Raimund must return to Berlin.
A young German barrister, Raimund has followed the irresistible Teddy to Paris. Teddy moves effortlessly through the city's dazzling, bohemian social scene, where nights dissolve into dancing, cigarettes, aperitifs and plates of pommes frites, and mornings arrive long after noon.
Together, the pair roam through the city's cafés, restaurants and boulevards, from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower. They bicker and flirt, scold and kiss, celebrating their freedom but knowing nothing can remain as it is, as the hour of Raimund's evening train comes ever closer.
Parting is an exquisite autobiographical novel capturing the last fragile moments of love and freedom before exile, fascism and war. Discovered after Sebastian Haffner's death, it became an instant German bestseller and has been hailed as a forgotten literary masterwork.
A W&N Essential translated and with an introduction by Michael Hofmann
- GenresFrance
Audible Audio
Published September 17, 2026
About the author
Sebastian Haffner
46 books187 followersSebastian Haffner (the pseudonym for Raimund Pretzel) was a German journalist and author whose focus was the history of the German Reich (1871-1945). His books dealt with the origins and course of the First World War, the failure of the Weimar Republic and the subsequent rise and fall of Nazi Germany under Hitler.
In 1938 he emigrated from Nazi Germany with his Jewish fiancée to London, hardly able to speak English but becoming rapidly proficient in the language. He adopted the pseudonym Sebastian Haffner so that his family back in Germany would not be endangered by his writing.
Haffner wrote for the London Sunday newspaper, The Observer, and then became its editor-in-chief. In 1954, he became its German correspondent in Berlin, a position which he kept until the building of the Berlin Wall.
He wrote for the German newspaper, Die Welt, until 1962, and then until 1975 was a columnist for the Stern magazine. Haffner was a frequent guest on the television show Internationaler Frühschoppen and had his own television program on the German channel, Sender Freies Berlin.
In 1938 he emigrated from Nazi Germany with his Jewish fiancée to London, hardly able to speak English but becoming rapidly proficient in the language. He adopted the pseudonym Sebastian Haffner so that his family back in Germany would not be endangered by his writing.
Haffner wrote for the London Sunday newspaper, The Observer, and then became its editor-in-chief. In 1954, he became its German correspondent in Berlin, a position which he kept until the building of the Berlin Wall.
He wrote for the German newspaper, Die Welt, until 1962, and then until 1975 was a columnist for the Stern magazine. Haffner was a frequent guest on the television show Internationaler Frühschoppen and had his own television program on the German channel, Sender Freies Berlin.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 28, 2026
didn’t enjoy this as much as i thought i would from the blurb? there’s a lot of bits in between where it does seem like i needed to have already read stuff he previously wrote to catch up on the friendship contexts? ending was very moving as expected though
Review of advance copy
A young German man in Paris during the 1930's comes to terms with the end of a relationship as he must return to Berlin. Uncomfortably reminiscent of many of my own thoughts and feelings over my romances at a similar age, with all the petty jealousies and immaturity.
October 3, 2026
It was irritating and charming, parts he wrote beautifully and I feel the heartache after.
November 1, 2026
The proprietor of our local bookshop recommended this to me. He told me that I would really enjoy it; I did not. It is beautifully written and poignant. The setting, Paris in 1932, is evocative and especially so as the principal protagonists are German at a time just before the Nazis came to power. The title 'Parting' sums up what the novella is about, the separation of the main characters as one remains in Paris and the other returns to Berlin. That apart, very little actually happens.
Review of advance copy
Exceptional -- a book about everything and nothing. The hands of the clock never do quit tightening!
I stumbled upon Parting at Daunt in London, but the book doesn't seem to be available in the US until next year.
I stumbled upon Parting at Daunt in London, but the book doesn't seem to be available in the US until next year.
October 29, 2026
Had some insufferable but realistic characters and but understandable from the angst and confusion of both young love and impending bc war. Overall charming and definitely felt the squeeze of time near the end
October 31, 2026
A tremendous love story of young people set in Paris, rich in description of the city and the story's characters, it is a joy to read. Reminds me in some aspects of a Jack Kerouac but much better written. Made all the better by being a true story. Well worth a read.
November 9, 2026
So so gorgeous. Very tender and sweet and messy in the loveliest way
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews