Die Unberührten

Robert Schneider's Die Unberührten (The Untouched) centers on a remote Alpine village in Austria during the late 19th century. The story follows Paul Döhler, a young man born into a family of mountain farmers. The villagers live according to ancient customs and beliefs, largely isolated from the modernizing world beyond their valley. Their lives revolve around farming, religious traditions, and superstitions that have been passed down through generations. The arrival of outsiders threatens to disrupt the established order of the village, forcing its inhabitants to confront changes they have long resisted. Schneider depicts the tensions between tradition and progress, faith and doubt, isolation and connection. The novel explores themes of cultural preservation, the price of maintaining purity, and the inevitable transformations that occur when closed societies encounter the outside world. Through its examination of this Alpine community, the work raises questions about identity and the nature of belonging.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Robert Schneider's overall work: Readers appreciate Schneider's poetic writing style and use of magical realism, particularly in "Brother of Sleep" (Schlafes Bruder). Many note his ability to create immersive historical settings in small Alpine villages. Readers who enjoyed his books mention the unique narrative voices and compelling character development. Several reviews highlight his descriptive passages about music in "Brother of Sleep." Common criticisms include slow pacing, especially in the opening chapters of his novels. Some readers find his writing style too ornate and the plots meandering. A portion of reviews mention difficulty connecting with the characters emotionally. Goodreads ratings: - Brother of Sleep: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) - The Air Eaters: 3.4/5 (300+ ratings) - Die Unberührten: 3.3/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon ratings: - Brother of Sleep: 4.1/5 (English edition, 50+ reviews) - Schlafes Bruder: 4.3/5 (German edition, 150+ reviews)

The Tin Drum by Günter Grass A tale of a dwarf in Nazi Germany connects with Schneider's themes of outsiders and historical upheaval in Germanic regions.

Perfume by Patrick Süskind This story of a murderer with supernatural abilities mirrors the exploration of sensory perception and isolation found in Die Unberührten.

The Flounder by Günter Grass The mix of history, folklore, and magical elements in medieval Europe echoes Schneider's storytelling approach.

The Time Ship by Anna Seghers The narrative follows characters through historical events in Germanic lands with focus on social outcasts and cultural transformation.

The Stone Carvers by Jane Urquhart A multi-generational story set in Germanic communities explores themes of artistry and human connection similar to Schneider's work.

🔷 "Die Unberührten" (The Untouched) was published in 2000 and is a historical novel set in Vorarlberg, Austria during the late 19th century. 🔷 Author Robert Schneider worked as a church organ player before becoming a writer and draws heavily on musical themes in his works, including this novel. 🔷 Like his more famous novel "Schlafes Bruder" (Brother of Sleep), this book explores themes of rural Alpine life and the complex relationships within isolated mountain communities. 🔷 The novel focuses on the story of a young girl named Rebecca and her family during a time of significant social and economic changes in the Austrian Alps. 🔷 Robert Schneider wrote the novel entirely by hand, as he does with all his works, believing this traditional method helps him maintain a closer connection to the storytelling process.