Peter von Matt loves Switzerland, a country caught between idyll and globalization, between alpine tradition and high-tech tunnels. Rich in imagery and wisdom, with humor and combative fervor, he also casts a critical eye on society: on its careless handling of language or its isolation against immigrants. With German writers like Friedrich Schiller or Max Frisch in mind, he admonishes the politics and fellow citizens of his homeland. This book makes us realize that engaging with literature strikes at the very heart of every citizen's consciousness, and shows us why it matters.