An eccentric older gentleman tells stories about a country that no longer exists and poses the question of whether life is more successful through truth or fantasy. Together with his wife Anja Tsokos, bestselling author Michael Tsokos narrates in the novel "Heinz Labensky - and His Perspective on Things" about the former GDR. We dive into the life of the lovable loner Heinz Labensky and embark on a mischievous journey through German-German history.

Even after the reunification, Heinz Labensky has never left East Germany and spends his time in a retirement home. Until one day, a letter interrupts the monotony and sheds light on the greatest mystery of his life: the disappearance of his first love, Rita. He boards a Flixbus to Warnemünde to get to the bottom of the matter. During the journey, a variety of fellow passengers inspire the imaginatively gifted Labensky to embark on a trip through his own past, and he recounts one outrageous story after another.

However, upon arriving at the sea, Labensky must make a decision. Does he want to learn the truth and accept reality as it is? Or does he prefer to continue living in his self-created fantasy world? "Maybe," Labensky thought, "the truth was overrated. Perhaps he wasn't the only one who occasionally sought refuge in fantasies or stories. Maybe everyone had their own tales to bend the world, which was hard to bear, to their liking. Castles in the air didn't need building permits, but they helped one not to lose hope."

SPIEGEL bestselling author Michael Tsokos has collaborated with his wife Anja Tsokos for the first time in the novel "Heinz Labensky - and His Perspective on Things." Together, they tell a story about the GDR - a country that is long gone: original, heartfelt, and with a humor that loves people.