The beginning was the last day before the summer holidays. The beginning was a song on the radio. The beginning was big plans.
Fourteen-year-old Billie rarely crosses the boundaries of her high-rise housing estate. By the end of the month their money just about stretches to pasta with ketchup, but her mother, Marika, lights up Billie’s world with her imagination and big heart.
One day they receive an unwelcome visit from her Hungarian grandmother, and Billie loses much more than the colourful everyday life she shared with her mother. No longer able to ask Marika questions, Billie sets off alone in their old Nissan – determined to meet the father she never knew and find out why she keeps dreaming about the sea, even though she’s never been there.
Longlisted for the German Book Prize 2023, Paradise Garden is a spellbinding journey and a deeply affecting story of class, resilience and belonging.
Praise
‘Elena Fischer writes with unusual clarity, economy and maturity for an author at the beginning of her career, and has a knack for transforming bleakness into qualified hope without cheapening either.’
— The Sydney Morning Herald
‘A refreshing bit of magic . . . almost like a fairy tale’
— Los Angeles Review of Books
‘Mesmerisingly addictive and exquisitely translated by Alexandra Roesch, Paradise Garden was longlisted for the German Book Prize 2023 and is already an international bestseller that has also been optioned for film. We’re not surprised. Author Fischer, 38, from Mainz, is one to watch.’
— The Sunday Post
‘a tender, coming-of-age story of loss, resilience and longing for home.’
— Service95
‘A gripping coming of age tale full of soul and heart. I absolutely adored this amazing book.’
— Kate Hamer, author of The Lost Girls and The Girl in the Red Coat
‘Elena Fischer writes so lovingly about sadness that it is comforting.’
— Alina Bronsky
‘An accomplished debut about the courage to get to know one’s own origins and to accept them as they are.’
— Ursula Nowak
‘This novel is a small miracle – and a big surprise.’
— Claudio Armbuster
‘A really good debut.’
— Marietta Bernasconi
‘The young author paints the picture of three women who […] initially have little empathy for each other and only slowly build up understanding and affection after a tragic accident.’
—Isabelle Fischer
‘You want to read more from this author.’
— Ruhr Nachrichten
‘The blurb sounded promising. What followed were hours in which I couldn’t put the book down. The young author tells the story of 14- year-old Billie so sensitively.’
— Debora Schnitzler
‘For Paradise Garden is a road novel in which one is always ready to give the shirt off one’s back for the happiness of its characters, or at least the end of their misfortune.’
— Katharina Teutsch
‘There is a surprising lightness to the quiet sadness that runs through the book, which is repeatedly underscored by witty dialogue and whimsical twists.’
— Christine Westermann
‘It is impressive, to say the least, how masterfully and down-to-earth she tells of life in a high-rise suburb.’
— Olaf Przybilla
‘We will be hearing a lot more from Elena Fischer.’
— Helmut Attender
‘Billie whispers in our ears. The revolt breathes in these chapters brimmed with hope and longing. She’s got a sound all of her own, feverish, eclectic.’
—Éric Neuhoff, Le Figaro littéraire
‘Witty and affecting, her young heroine has an unbreakable frankness. Until the end of her journey, Billie illuminates this magnificent novel that follows the chaotic path of family reunion.’
— Thierry Boillot, L’Alsace
‘And indeed you’ll cry, a lot. But they’re both cold and hot tears, heartbreaking and moving. You’ll even smile.’
— Rita Balestriero, La Repubblica delle Donne
‘Heartbreaking and funny at the same time.’
—Het Parool, Amsterdam
‘Compelling. With all its tension, speed and humor, this coming-of-age story is extremely suitable as a young-adult novel. But don’t neglect it if you’re over eighteen.’
— Trouw, Amsterdam
‘I loved this book from page one onwards. It will be beneficial to your heart and soul.’
— Jana Šlinská / Denník N, Bratislava
‘A Book that makes You think on complexity of family ties and developing identity. Tears of laughter and sadness.’
— Raamatukodu, Tallinn
‘One of the best this year. Full of eccentric, strange and somewhat irritating characters, but in a sympathetic way.’
— Suvehiidlane, Tallinn
