Set in the rave scene of 90s’ Berlin, Last Utopia sketches the emotional landscape of an era that was supposed to be liberated, a time when the future was ostentatiously hailed. Yet in between the markers of optimism and progress, the first cracks announcing the permanent crises of today are revealed. Understanding techno as narrative device, this short novella traces echoes of utopian imaginary.

Persis Bekkering is a sophisticated maker of scenes, her prose is strongly physical and immersive. In her work, human relations are scrutinized and exposed in its ambiguity. In 2018 she published her first novel, Een heldenleven [Life of a Hero] with Prometheus, which was shortlisted for the ANV Debut Prize. She writes essays, art and literary criticism and columns. An excerpt of Last Utopia was used as libretto for Stine Janvin and Ula Sickle’s concert performance Echoic Choir, which premiered at the Wiener Festwochen. [publishers’ note]

Bilingual Dutch / English; translated by Susan Ridder.