Schattenfroh | Michael Lentz

An intricate, metaphysical, ambitious "psychogeography of the self" that both disrupts and elevates the 21st century vision of the novel.

Our narrator is held in complete darkness and isolation. His endless thoughts are turned into the book we are reading—Schattenfroh—directed by none other than the narrator’s mysterious jailer by the same name. Undulating through explorations of Renaissance art, the German reformation, time-defying esoterica, the printing process in the 16th century, Kabbalistic mysticism, and beyond, Schattenfroh is a remarkable book that, in turn, asks the remarkable of its readers. Interruptions, breaks, and annotations both buoy and deceive, and endless historical references, literary allusions, and wordplay construct a baroque, encyclopedic quest. Schattenfroh’s publication in English marks a seminal moment in the history of the literary form. The translation is done by Max Lawton, and the book is set for release on August 19, 2025.

Available on August 19, 2025

About the Author

Michael Lentz was born on May 15, 1964, in Düren, Germany. He studied German literature and philosophy in Aachen and Munich. Lentz is a versatile artist, known for his work as a writer, musician, performer, and professor. His academic background includes a Ph.D. on post-war sound poetry and music. He has written numerous books, including poetry collections like "Neue Anagramme" (1998) and novels such as "Liebeserklärung" (2003). Lentz is also recognized for his experimental sound poetry and has received several awards, including the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize in 2001. He currently lives in Berlin and Leipzig, where he teaches creative writing at the German Literature Institute, University of Leipzig.

About the Translator 

Max Lawton is an American writer, translator, and musician known for his translations of Russian literature into English. Born in Brussels, Belgium, he spent his early years there before moving to Chicago. Lawton earned his BA in Russian Literature from Columbia University and his MPhil from The Queen's College, Oxford. He is particularly recognized for translating the works of Vladimir Sorokin, including Blue Lard and Telluria. Lawton also translates from French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Turkish, and is currently working on projects such as Michael Lentz's Schattenfroh and Stefano D’Arrigo's Horcynus Orca. He resides in Los Angeles, where he plays in a metal band.