Erk Dessauer is young, talented, and wants to become a great writer. Something that is not easy in Berlin, now a reunited Germany, where cliques wield power among themselves and jealousy prevails.
When Erk signs a contract with the best publishing house in the country, it seems he has achieved his goal. Or rather, he would have, if it weren't for the ruthless Hans Ulrich Barzilay, the king of Berlin society and the literary scene, with his eccentric appearance, the most beautiful women by his side, and his impeccable books.
Before the famous writer can hinder his rise, Erk must stop him. And for that, he weaves an unimaginable intrigue... Maxim Biller narrates the story of a man driven to madness by Germany because he wants at all costs to be "in the game": to gain social acceptance, to be in the spotlight, to enjoy the earthly paradise of the new, reunited nation.
The Wrong Greeting is an angry novel about opportunism and new nationalism. Above all, it is a novel that thrillingly and unexpectedly tenderly portrays a young writer as a "monster," as a coward, and as an eternal child.
"This novel touches on the essence of the fundamental “deficiencies” of the Federal Republic of Germany, concerning the understanding of the present, the hope for the future, and the joy of life." Süddeutsche Zeitung
"A brilliant portrait of the cultural scene in Berlin... With insight, it shakes deep beliefs." Die Zeit
"Insightful and delightful novel, sharp as a razor." Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung
