KKÖ Öhninger Literature Circle

# Werner Dürsson The Novelistic Biography "Lohmann and the Art of Taking One’s Own Life" **Thursday, September 10 | 7:00–8:30 p.m. Augustinian Monastery, Öhningen. Venue to be announced.** Admission is free No prior registration required This fall, the **“Öhningen Literature Circle”**, led by **Dr. Inga Pohlmann**, will once again focus on authors with close ties to the region: Werner Dürsson’s novel **“Lohmann and the Art of Taking One’s Own Life”** tells the story of a man grappling with his life, his past, and the question of the meaning of his own existence. The plot follows Lohmann, who feels increasingly alienated from his surroundings and contemplates suicide. However, the focus is not on the act itself, but on the inner process of reflecting on life and death. The novel is structured as a **biography in novel form**. Dürsson combines narrative elements with psychological observation to paint a multifaceted portrait of his protagonist. Key stages of Lohmann’s life are revealed through memories, reflections, and encounters. His experiences, disappointments, and hopes reveal the struggles of a person searching for direction and identity. Despite the serious subject matter, the work is not a pure tragedy. Irony and subtle humor appear time and again, creating distance and prompting reflection. The novel raises fundamental questions about freedom, responsibility, and self-determination. It shows how closely life crises and the search for a fulfilling existence are intertwined. Dürsson thus succeeds in offering a sensitive and philosophical exploration of the extreme situations of human life. **Prior reading of the specified work is recommended but not required. The three sessions can be attended independently of one another without prior registration. Participation is free of charge; donations to Kultur.Konvent.Öhningen are appreciated.**