A great literary delight, a very successful debut. A 14.8-meter-long fish tapeworm, a soapbox racing towards the moon, an unexpectedly attractive monk in a Jaguar, a falling angel, a pregnant village princess, an ancient philological secret society, a Nordic walking mothers' group, a young soccer player with a heart in the right place, a sinister conspiracy of the village elders, and plenty of pop brass music all belong to the unforgettable microcosm of this novel, which captivates with its dedication to vivid details and quirky events, its narrative fervor, and its polyphony. Vea Kaiser unfolds with verve, spirit, and irresistible wit the grand story of a small village and tells of a family that has curiously succumbed to science over three generations. A bold, outstanding debut.