Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck

Kairos is set in East Berlin in 1986, during the final years of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The story follows 19-year-old Katharina, who meets Hans, a married writer in his early fifties, by chance in a café. The narrative focuses on their developing relationship and how it unfolds against the backdrop of a changing East Germany.

The story's title "Kairos" refers to the ancient Greek concept meaning the right or opportune moment, and this idea of timing and moments of opportunity runs throughout the narrative.