Beyond the Station Lies the Sea

This fable-like novella about a homeless boy’s quest to make it to the beach offers “a darkly poetic, masterfully crafted view of life on the streets” (Publishers Weekly).

From the celebrated author of The Cat: Or, How I Lost Eternity comes a tale of adventure, suspense, and friendship. Cosmos and Niner have adapted to being homeless, but they decide to set out on a journey to the beach where they can enjoy the summer weather year-round. Their plan has one hitch: they need money to make the trip. When a potential patron asks what the pair might be willing to sell, Niner and Cosmos offer their only item of value—Niner’s guardian angel.

Once they’ve set out, Niner takes a turn for the worse, and Cosmos realizes he needs that guardian angel back to save his friend. An arresting tale for readers young and old, Beyond the Station Lies the Sea is a terrific addition to Jutta Richter’s beloved body of work.

“Weaving together the spare symbolism of fable and the magical high stakes of fairy tale, this skillfully written novella by an award-winning German author offers much food for reflection. While the subject matter is difficult, the story is universal; not tied to place or culture, it remains open to broad interpretation. A good choice for discussion.” —Kirkus Reviews