Hoffnung auf Veränderung

Two books recounting a problematic childhood, youth and poverty; two writers who talk about destigmatization, solidarity as confidence and the longing for real connections.

In the novel Göre by Dorota Ambrožová, high-school student Hanka falls in love with her clearly older and married neighbour. Elsewhere, things aren’t going well either. Her life is shaped by conflicts, tensions with her family and in school as well as by inner rage and a facade of indifference. She begins to change as she experiences a growing interest in painting.

In We Can’t Afford That, Miriam Davoudvandi relates how poverty influenced her childhood and her sense of self-worth. Her book is aimed at all those who were afraid of inviting friends back home. Meanwhile, Davoudvandi is a successful journalist and makes poverty tangible through her personal descriptions. The book inspires empathy and contrasts Davoudvandi’s personal success story with the hope of societal change.

***BIOGRAPHIES***

Dorota Ambrožová
b. 1994. Writer, journalist and documentary filmmaker. She studied radio and television dramaturgy and screenwriting in Brno. Published in German: Göre, 2026.

“Czech literature has long awaited such a precise and at the same time unpretentious debut. This novel will be a talking point.” Daniel Mulkner, ČT art (Česká televize)

Miriam Davoudvandi

b. 1992. Journalist, presenter, writer and DJ. Former editor-in-chief of the music magazine splash! she now hosts the WDR Podcast Good, thank you. The podcast about pop culture and mental health. Recently published: We Can’t Afford That (Das können wir uns nicht leisten), 2026.

“A personal story that contains so much love. This book heals wounds.”
Tahsim Durgun on We Can’t Afford That