Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Books

Sojourn by Amit Chaudhuri review: Brief encounters with the eclectic life of a city

A novel about a lecturer visiting Berlin and the overwhelming effect of its history, that ultimately fails to leave an impression on the reader.

Berlin cityscape

Berlin cityscape Image: wal_172619 from Pixabay

Sojourn by Amit Chaudhuri
Sojourn by Amit Chaudhuri is out now (Faber & Faber, £14.99)

For his novella Sojourn, Amit Chaudhuri has picked on a theme of the fate of Berlin and the sometimes overwhelming power of a city over those who visit it. As a visiting lecturer, the anonymous narrator captures brief encounters with the eclectic life of the city, becoming dramatically aware of the geography and history that shapes his visit and its visitors. The novel’s aims are worthy, but its short length and, more importantly, a lack of definition in description, mean it doesn’t leave a mark on the imagination.  


You can buy Sojourn from The Big Issue shop on Bookshop.org, which helps to support The Big Issue and independent bookshops.

This article is taken from The Big Issue magazine, which exists to give homeless, long-term unemployed and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income.To support our work buy a copy! If you cannot reach your local vendor, you can still click HERE to subscribe to The Big Issue today or give a gift subscription to a friend or family member. You can also purchase one-off issues from The Big Issue Shop or The Big Issue app, available now from the App Store or Google Play.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

How many kids, Keir?

Ask the PM to tell us how many kids he'll get out of poverty
Image of two parents holding two small children, facing away from the camera

Recommended for you

View all
The Other Girl by Annie Ernaux review – grief's rippling effects
Books

The Other Girl by Annie Ernaux review – grief's rippling effects

Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood review – evoking our collective Covid brain fog
Books

Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood review – evoking our collective Covid brain fog

These inspiring women in history flew in the face of patriarchal norms
History

These inspiring women in history flew in the face of patriarchal norms

Top 5 literary dystopias, chosen by award-winning author Matt Greene
Books

Top 5 literary dystopias, chosen by award-winning author Matt Greene