Herzlich wie Handkäs - Unglaubliches über die Hessen

Those who are not well acquainted with the manners of the Hessians could well find their somewhat gruff cordiality rude. But this is, of course, a misconception. Because, and Christoph Jenisch proves this quite clearly in his new book, the Hessians are simply "Herzlich like Handkäs": for non-experts at first glance unenjoyable, but after getting to know them better you simply have to love them. But who are the Hessians actually, where do they come from and what are the very special peculiarities that are always misinterpreted outside the country's borders?

In several episodes from their turbulent history, Jenisch gets to the bottom of the phenomenon "Hesse". This is sometimes surprising, sometimes a little bizarre, then again extremely enlightening - and always damn amusing. For example, the author explains in his endearingly humorous way why the Hessian is more or less born with the conviction that it is not necessary to move away from his familiar surroundings. He fathoms the somewhat strange culinary preferences of the region and in the process also reveals the origin story of Toast Hawaii. He recounts Elvis's experiences with the Hessians and explains why there are so few Hessian adventures in history. The "hessian furor", a state of mind unique to this region, is also scrutinized.

Food, music, Frankenstein, Hessian humor, the Brothers Grimm, all find mention in this collection of incredible stories about the Hessians. In doing so, Christoph Jenisch finds just the right mix of interesting information and tongue-in-cheek humor. Whether facts, half-truths or traditional legends, what Jenisch has compiled here is simply extremely entertaining to read and also provides some really enlightening insights. It is especially nice that Jensich approaches the matter with a lot of humor, but at the same time his love for the region is omnipresent. So you never get the feeling that he is making fun of the sometimes somewhat peculiar idiosyncrasies of the Hessians, but rather that he illuminates the phenomenon of "Hesse" with a certain self-irony.

So "Herzlich wie Handkäs" has become an entertaining read, which has become for all Hessians a kind of humorous declaration of love to their country and its inhabitants and for all non-Hessians a helpful work to better deal with the peculiarities of the Hessians and to better understand their very special cordiality. Because we are just really "Herzlich like Handkäs"! Absolutely worth reading!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp