Short Circuit (Haas novel)

Short Circuit
AuthorWolf Haas
Original titleWackelkontakt
TranslatorJamie Bulloch
LanguageGerman
PublisherCarl Hanser Verlag
Publication date
9 January 2025
Publication placeGermany
Published in English
11 April 2026
Pages240
ISBN978-3-446-28272-8

Short Circuit (German: Wackelkontakt) is a 2025 novel by the Austrian writer Wolf Haas. It follows two parallel characters, an Austrian waiting for an electrician to repair his power outlet and an incarcerated Italian mafia member who fears he will be murdered in his cell, who are reading books about the other character's current situation. The story's structure was inspired by the graphic designs of M. C. Escher.[1][2]

An English translation by Jamie Bulloch was published by HarperVia in 2026. Publishers Weekly called the book "a clever, wryly funny ride".[3]

References

  1. ^ Jacobsen, Dietmar (3 March 2025). "Willkommen im Spiegelkabinett zweier Leben". Literaturkritik.de (in German). Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  2. ^ Spreckelsen, Tilman (6 January 2025). "Kein Puzzleteil darf fehlen". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  3. ^ "Short Circuit". Publishers Weekly. 20 January 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.