The Center of the World (1998)

[Simon]

   

Seventeen-year-old Phil has felt like an outsider as long as he can remember. All Phil has ever known about his father is that he was Number Three on his mother’s long list—third in a series of affairs that have set Phil’s family even further apart from the critical townspeople across the river. As for his own sexuality, Phil doesn’t care what the neighbors will think; he’s just waiting for the right guy to come along.

But Phil can’t remain a bystander forever. Not when he’s surrounded by his mother, Glass, who lives by her own rules and urges Phil to be equally strong; his sister, Dianne, who is abrupt and willful, with secrets to share; his uncle Gable, a restless mariner, defined by his scars; his best friend, Kat, who is generous but possessive. And finally, there is distant Nicholas, with whom Phil falls overwhelmingly in love—until he faces the ultimate betrayal and must finally find his worth . . . and place in the world.

"That's why I loved the library. It was the centre of my world."

"The Center of the World" is a wondrous and touching tale of childhood and adolescence, that reminded me of "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe."

Phil lives in an old and crumbling mansion named Visible, together with his twin sister Dianne and their mother Glass. They make for a rather unusual family. Glass despises being called "Mom" and refuses to enter into a longer lasting relationship with any of the long list of men that go in and out of Visible. Phil wishes for nothing more than someone he can call "Dad", and still he doesn't even know his father's name. Dianne has a deep understanding for everything that flutters and crawls through their garden, and people whisper that she can talk to animals. No wonder the town folk warn their children to stay far away from these people. Phil and Dianne don't mind their unusual lifestyle. That is, not until they grow up and stop talking to each other, for a reason Phil doesn't understand. And then again, there's Nicholas, the new guy in Phil's year, and he may make things even more confusing.

What makes "The Center of theWorld" so remarkable is its outstanding prose and relatable characters. The writing is vibrant and nostalgic. Andreas Steinhöfel captures the feeling of youth, awkward discoveries of growing up and bittersweet memories perfectly. Phil is so relatable because he impersonates all of those feelings that come with first crushes, love, friendship and family.

Personally I would have wished for less flashbacks and a thicker plot instead. The ending didn't completely satisfy me. There was too much left open for my taste. But then again nothing in life is certain. Luckily there is a collection of short stories, "Defender : Geschichten aus der Mitte der Welt", that may answer some questions.

"The Centre of My World" is one underrated novel. If you're looking for a new voice in glbt books, a coming of age tale, portrayal of strong and independent women or just a good book to dive into, pick this. (By the way, this book was released 20 years ago.)

Life is ironically funny, raw, sad and beautiful. So is this novel.