Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck is a poignant novel set in East Germany during the final years of the Cold War. It follows the passionate yet turbulent love affair between a young woman and an older, married man. The story explores themes of love, betrayal, and the passage of time against the backdrop of political and social upheaval. Erpenbeck's lyrical prose and Michael Hofmann's translation bring this deeply emotional and reflective narrative to life.