Cologne author Susanne Abel: A novel about war, children's homes and hope

Cologne author Susanne Abel: A novel about war, children's homes and hope

Something is happening in the Cologne literary scene - and quite significantly! Susanne Abel has completed her new novel, which will be published in August 2025. Under the title “You have to hold my hand tight, No.4” a touching story unfolds about two children in a post-war children's home. The girl, a war orphan, and the boy, who is on the run and has lost his memory, become important points of reference for each other and remain connected throughout their lives. An important setting is Cologne-Poll, which gives the city and its history a special role in Abel's story meinesuedstadt.de reported.

Abel, who lives in the southern part of the city and from there delves deeply into Cologne's history, has already published two best-selling novels: “Stay away from Gretchen: An impossible love” and “What I never said: Gretchen's fateful family”. These works deal with pressing issues such as flight, expulsion, the Second World War and the effects of Nazi crimes on subsequent generations. In the podcast with Cologne City Gazette she talks about the legacy of the trauma she inherited from her mother and what she learned from Cologne's past.

Young author with a strong voice

Susanne Abel is a Cologne author who started writing late. Despite her relatively short writing experience, her debut novel “Stay away from Gretchen” has managed to find a place on bestseller lists to date. Her books tackle heavy topics and find a way to bring to light the stories that have often remained hidden in the shadows of the past.

In her stories, Abel pays particular attention to the transgenerational trauma that is passed on to future generations through events such as flight and expulsion over the years. This topic also has connections to an article on Medical Journal, which points out that traumatic experiences are often passed on unconsciously and can lead to an atmosphere of trauma and guilt.

Abel's stories are about the search for lost children and address what flight and expulsion do to people. The influence of the past on the present is also made clear in the new novel - an aspect that has lost none of its explosiveness in current society.

Cologne identity and personal ties

For Susanne Abel, Cologne is not only a setting in her novels, but also a place where she is rooted. The view of Cologne Cathedral from the south bridge is one of her favorite places. Here you can feel the southern city's attitude to life, which it describes as a pleasant neighborhood where people treat each other in a friendly manner and people know each other. As a filmmaker, she also knows the Rheinauhafen very well, which gives her a further understanding of the city and its history.

With her new novel, Abel creates a moving story that not only entertains, but also makes you think. The story of escape, expulsion and the inseparable connection between two children will captivate many readers.