I stumbled upon this collection almost by accident, and I'm so glad I did. Juliane Déry's 'Katastrophen' is a series of snapshots from a bygone era, but the feelings are anything but old-fashioned.

The Story

This isn't one continuous plot, but a set of separate novellas. Each one focuses on a different character—often a woman—facing a personal crisis. One story might follow a governess whose reputation is destroyed by a rumor. Another might center on a businessman who loses everything in a single day. The 'disasters' are intimate: a broken engagement, a secret uncovered, a dream abandoned. Déry doesn't need epic battles; she shows how a single moment of bad luck or a harsh word can change a life forever.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was Déry's eye for detail and her deep empathy. She writes about social pressures and heartbreak with a clarity that feels modern. You completely understand why her characters make the choices they do, even when you see the trouble coming. It’s like watching a slow-motion accident—you’re fascinated and heartbroken at the same time. She captures the stifling rules of her time, especially for women, without ever making it feel like a history lesson.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love character-driven stories and historical fiction that focuses on emotion over events. If you enjoy authors like Edith Wharton or Thomas Hardy, but want to discover a voice that's been overlooked, Déry is your next great find. It’s a quiet, powerful book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.