Humans are beings who want to be more than they are. In a postmodern society, Eva Menasse explores archaic patterns. She traces the seven deadly sins and finds sloth and gluttony, lust and pride, wrath, envy, and greed in the actions of her entirely worldly protagonists. As in her debut novel "Vienna," she tells stories with her unique blend of poetry and comedy that linger in your mind. We can long do without God. But have we also abolished sin? Through the old teaching of the seven deadly sins, Eva Menasse addresses the great themes of literature: love and hate, guilt and forgiveness. For people still miss each other today for the same reasons as centuries ago. A family man is too lazy to assert his own small happiness against his daughters and ex-wife.