“Getting to know my brother meant learning to hate him.” The Collapse with Édouard Louis and Jannik Schümann

with Édouard Louis Emily Grunert Jannik Schümann

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The event was originally scheduled for lit.COLOGNE in March 2026 but has been postponed. Tickets already purchased remain valid. Tickets could be canceled via myticket or your ticket office (until March 31, 2026).

Discussion in English; reading in German

Program / phil.COLOGNE

Since the publication of his autobiographical debut “The End of Eddy”, Édouard Louis has been considered “France’s biggest literary sensation” (THE NEW YORK TIMES). He followed it up with further acclaimed books, in which he turned his penetrating gaze to his own upbringing and the life of his parents. His latest novel, The Collapse, completes the literary family tableau and focuses on the story of his brother: With dim prospects in his working-class world, he wishes for a bigger life. One in which he restores cathedrals, travels the globe and earns his father’s love. But his reality does not permit any of this. He descends into alcohol and gambling addiction and remains a tragic phantom. The Collapse is a relentlessly vivid portrait revealing a horrific combination of classism, masculinity and addiction. German text: Jannik Schümann; host: Emily Grunert

Books

Der Absturz

Édouard Louis
Aus dem Französischen von Sonja Finck
Aufbau

978-3-351-03957-8

Date:

Tuesday
09. June 2026
21:00
Pre € ab 26,55
WDR Funkhaus
Klaus-von-Bismarck-Saal

Wallrafplatz 5
Köln-Innenstadt

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Please follow the checkroom instructions.

More information.
Accessibility
- Induction loop Available
- Wheelchair-accessible Available
- Assistance dogs welcome Available
Languages
- Englisch
- Deutsch