Can a stolen Lada lead to the best summer of your life?
Wolfgang Herrndorf’s award-winning novel, “Why We Took the Car,” is a brilliant, funny, and unexpectedly tender road trip novel for young adult readers. The story follows two unforgettable teenage outsiders in Germany: Maik, a boy from a wealthy but dysfunctional family, and Andrej “Tschick” Tschichatschow, a tough Russian immigrant with a mysterious past. Feeling invisible and bored during summer vacation, the two decide to steal an old Lada and embark on an impromptu journey toward Wallachia, a destination chosen for its mythical sound rather than any real geographical significance. What follows is a chaotic and heartfelt adventure across the backroads of eastern Germany, a trip that challenges their preconceptions and forges an unlikely, powerful friendship.
This journey through the German countryside offers a unique window into the nation’s contemporary social landscape, subtly exploring themes of class, immigration, and what it means to be an outsider. While the characters are German and Russian, the story transcends specific nationalities to touch upon the universal teenage search for identity and connection. We see their world through fragments of conversation and the diverse, often eccentric, cast of characters they meet along their way—from a militant survivalist to a kind, food-obsessed family. The novel is particularly resonant for readers who may feel like they don’t quite fit in, regardless of their background. It speaks directly to the experience of navigating complex social codes and finding your own tribe, making it a compelling read for those curious about perspectives different from their own and for understanding the nuances of friendship that blossom in the most unexpected circumstances.
Author Wolfgang Herrndorf, who sadly passed away shortly after the book’s immense success, wrote with a raw authenticity and wit that has been celebrated across Europe; “Why We Took the Car” was awarded the prestigious Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis. The novel’s lasting impression lies in its profound understanding of adolescent loneliness and the liberating power of breaking free from expectations. It’s a vital addition to any classroom or library because it champions empathy, courage, and the beautiful, messy reality of human connection. This is more than a story about a joyride; it’s a poignant reminder that the most important journeys are often the ones we never planned to take.
