Author reading with Janne Mommsen
In his former life, Spiegel bestselling author Janne Mommsen worked as a nurse, shipyard worker and dreamboat pianist. He now mainly writes novels and plays. Mommsen has lived in North Friesland and worked at Vietgest Castle as an "author in residence".
His latest, already highly acclaimed novel "The Light in the Waves" has just been published, from which he reads:
On Föhr, everyone knows the almost hundred-year-old Inge Martensen. Her milestone birthday is to be celebrated with great honor. But shortly before the party, Inge simply takes off. She boards a ship to New York with her great-granddaughter Swantje: she wants to see the Statue of Liberty one more time. Just like when she emigrated all alone as a young woman. But life seemed predestined for the farmer's daughter from Föhr. She would never have dreamed that she would dance on the fortieth floor of a skyscraper, conquer Manhattan with "Inge's special potato salad" and entertain John F. Kennedy.
During the crossing, Inge tells her great-granddaughter about a dazzling life between continents, between worlds that couldn't be more different. And she talks about what makes a life lived: the courage to make decisions and how to live on with the regret of what could have been. She hopes that this journey will help Swantje to go her own way. And to finally make peace with what she has always kept to herself. Because no life is complete without secrets ...
"An encouraging novel about new beginnings, home and perseverance."
Freundin. 27.05.2025
"Bestselling author Janne Mommsen tells Inge's story sensitively and as a great portrait of women and the 20th century. Clever entertainment!"
Ruhr Nachrichten, 28.05.2025
"You simply have to love Mommsen's character Inge Martensen."
Freie Presse, 31.05.2025
