Come a Little Closer, All of You, Wherever You Are

The bestselling author explores the big questions and the meaning of life

Evening after evening, a father tells his daughter about religion - not just about their own, Islam, but about religion in general, about God and nothingness, about love and death. And he soon comes to the big questions that all children ask themselves, and which many of them forget once they have grown up. This book is an enchantment, a poetic masterpiece, and incredibly personal - precisely because Navid Kermani dares to write into the darkness and does not let his faith cover up his lack of answers. But also of course because his prose, his thoughts, his knowledge of two cultures are so unique, so bright and so deep.




"Kermani moves from Koranic suras to quantum physics to Plato with the greatest narrative ease. And you immediately want a fireplace and a lot of time to reflect on all the thoughts the author rouses in you." Stern

"You will certainly enjoy this clever, eclectic and entertaining book!" Gesa Ufer | Thomas Böhm, rbb

"What a book! 240 pages that are as strong as the presentation and title. This is a very personal book, so personal that I'll do something radio journalists don't normally do - I'll admit that a few tears rolled down my cheek while reading. It is a very dialogic book, I feel taken seriously, even as an adult." Andreas Main, Deutschlandfunk

"A book as inviting as its title." Gustav Seibt, Süddeutsche Zeitung

"One of the most exciting intellectual voices in Germany." The New York Review of Books

"The book itself is an example of the accuracy, curiosity and patience that Kermani expects from believers in God. It is not just poetic, even if beauty is a serious argument for Kermani; and it does not evade the sceptical questions raised by the history of religions and Islamism in particular. His daughter's doubts are no less a part of the reality described in this clever, thoughtful and warm-hearted book than his elucidations." Mark Siemons, Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung

"Kermani’s words are full of relish and peppered with a pinch of self-irony. His writing burns with a love of poetry, and the rhyme of the suras. This bestselling author is interested in thought-provoking ideas, boundaries and commonalities, and therefore, nothing less than an examination of ourselves, our being, and the origin of the world." Andrea Schwyzer, NDR

"Everyone is now lucky enough to be able to read Kermani's thoughts on religions, people and life. He manages to achieve a balanced rhythm as if he were writing music rather than words. His ability to look at the world from different angles is used very effectively here. Because the writing is grounded in everyday life and the intensity of the family ties are noticeable in every single line, this mind-expanding work is indispensable. Birth, love, death, faith, infinity, wonder - a great success by this award-winning author!" Bücher. Das unabhängige Literatur- & Hörbuch-Magazin

"In this ravishing text to his daughter, he reconciles us with God." Daniel Arnet, Blick

"Navid Kermani conveys religion brilliantly. His heartfelt poetry is enchanting. He remains honest, doesn't conjure up impossible dreams, confronts doubt, and takes on all the great maybes of the Koran. Lively, unique!" Wolfgang Maiworm, Magazin Lebens(t)räume