The Position

August Becker is the star among press photographers, his portraits are unique. In the current election campaign for the chancellorship, he is commissioned to photograph the leading candidate of a populist party by a liberal magazine. Ulli Popp stirs up hatred for migrants, women, independent media. August Becker is tasked with exposing the man behind the caring facade, his brutality, his cynicism. He is to stop the seemingly unstoppable triumph of his party. August despises Popp, he accepts the assignment and indeed succeeds in taking a snapshot that he is convinced will have a decisive influence on the outcome of the election – until, from one day to the next, all certainties are turned upside down.

Doron Rabinovici’s new novel tells the story of an increasingly polarised present, an increasingly divided society, with wit, irony and passion. It deals with the relativisation of facts, the attraction of the authoritarian, the power of images. It depicts a populist’s fight against a photographer who knows that every photograph bears testimony to a mindset.

»Rabinovici presents a fast-paced narrative snapshot of the present that exposes political mechanisms in literary form.« Alexandra Föderl-Schmid, Süddeutsche Zeitung

»The poignant derision with which Doron Rabinovici keeps steering towards unexpected twists is what makes The Position an especially worthwhile and amusing read.« Stefan Michalzik, Frankfurter Rundschau

»Rabinovici has mastered the art of weaving big topics into a story with humour and irony« Doris Wegner, Augsburger Allgemeine

»Rabinovici’s prose strikes a rare balance: it is entertaining, elegant and light, but at the same time full of artistry, genius and nuance.« Tages-Anzeiger

»Doron Rabinovici’s new novel The Position ... deals with the big questions, which are examined by a sensitive analyst of the present ...« Bernd Melichar, Kleine Zeitung

»Doron Rabinovici has written a novel about the power of images, about politics and the media in times of populism. He explores hateful debates and the condemnation of dissenters with great meticulousness.« Klemens Renoldner, Die Presse

»Rabinovici unravels complex relationships, which takes time and sometimes a novel like this one. ... A book about the complicated situation of our uncomfortable present.« Anton Thuswaldner, Salzburger Nachrichten

»The Position is far more than a historical analysis.« Florian Baranyi, ORF