On the surface, Langsam-Schnellzüge in Österreich follows a simple premise. Our narrator, Ignotus, dedicates himself to studying a peculiar category of Austrian rail service: trains designated as fast but which, for various bureaucratic or geographic reasons, are notoriously slow. He rides them, notes their delays, observes his fellow passengers, and fills notebooks with his findings.

The Story

But this isn't a travelogue. As Ignotus's project stretches from a hobby into a decades-long fixation, the story shifts. We start to see that his meticulous tracking of minutes lost between stations is a distraction. The trains become a moving refuge from his own life—from personal disappointments, quiet regrets, and questions he doesn't want to answer. The 'plot' is in the gaps: the conversations he almost has, the towns he watches from the window but never visits, the life passing by outside the glass. The central question becomes: Is he documenting the trains, or is he using them to hide?

Why You Should Read It

I loved how this book turns an seemingly mundane subject into a mirror for the human condition. Ignotus is a fascinating character because his obsession is so specific, yet his loneliness is universal. The writing is calm and precise, mirroring the rhythm of a long train ride. You feel the sway of the carriages and the strange comfort of being in motion without a urgent destination. It's a book that makes you think about the routines we build for ourselves and what they might be shielding us from.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction and don't need a breakneck plot. If you like stories about quiet lives with loud inner worlds, like the works of Kazuo Ishiguro or Anne Tyler, you'll find a lot to appreciate here. It's a thoughtful, poignant read for anyone who has ever felt like they're just going through the motions, waiting for a sign to get off at the next stop.