Shida Bazyar, an author based in Germany, expresses her discomfort with being categorized by “migration literature.” Her new novel, »Die Lücken« (The Gaps), transcends this label by exploring the fundamental question of origin – a question she argues applies to everyone, regardless of background. The work delves into themes of identity and belonging, presenting a broader perspective on the human experience. Bazyar’s nuanced approach is garnering critical attention and has positioned her as a strong contender for the Deutscher Buchpreis (German Book Prize). The novel avoids simple narratives about displacement, instead offering a more complex examination of personal history and its impact. Through »Die Lücken«, Bazyar demonstrates the universality of searching for one’s place in the world, challenging conventional understandings of what it means to “come from” somewhere. This exploration makes her novel a significant contribution to contemporary German literature.