An old-fashioned novel made a star out of a young writer
At just 22, Nelio Biedermann has been compared to Thomas Mann thanks to his book, “Lázár.”
From The Times
May 1, 2026

Past family experience helped inspire the 22-year-old Swiss author Nelio Biedermann to begin writing his novel, “Lázár,” when he was a teenager. Published in Germany in September, the book has earned a slew of rave reviews.

A young man in a blue sweater sits on a wooden bench, holding an open book. A white carved relief is on the wall behind him.

Clara Watt for The New York Times

It has turned the (shockingly) young author into a literary star overnight. →

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