Anna Sommer

Das Unbekannte

«Sieht gut aus, nicht?»

It goes calmly and unspectacularly into the unknown of the author and artist Anna Sommer. With few words and a subtle stroke of the pen that leaves a lot of white space, she tells a simple and tricky relationship story. Four people seek the happiness that escapes them, hardly believing they can hold a corner of it in their hands. The teenagers Vicky and Wanda are pursuing their exciting pleasures alongside school. Vicky finds it in Paul's teacher's room. Paul is in a relationship with Helen. When he wants to give up his liaison with Vicky, Helen starts a secret relationship. In the changing room of her fashion boutique she unexpectedly finds a newborn left behind. She wants to keep it without telling Paul.
Anna Sommer has designed her book as a parallel montage from the perspective of Helen and Vicky. In her change, which is not shown more closely, she creates a web of secrets, lies and self-deception. Only when a Christmas tree suddenly appears in the picture does one suspect that the graphic novel follows a far more refined dramaturgy. It comes differently than expected, but this cautiously told and finely drawn story does not lead to happiness.
(Beat Mazenauer)

Translation of title: The Unknown

Edition Moderne, Zürich 2018

ISBN: 978-3-03731-173-8