This week, Joey, Colin, and Jennifer discuss: “The Autobahn,” by Hugo Hamilton, from The New Yorker issue published on September 15, 2024. The story centers on a young man hitchhiking outside Frankfurt, who is stopped by a police officer on a snowy day. Suspected of being a violent anarchist due to his resemblance to a wanted criminal, the protagonist reflects on his life, his father, and his sense of displacement during the tense interaction.

Our Thoughts

Colin appreciates the fragmented, abrupt narrative style of the story, which he believes effectively captures the mood and tension of the protagonist’s situation. Colin reflects on how the story is told retrospectively, which builds suspense, even though the outcome is known.

“What I liked about this story was that it builds up an incredible amount of tension… This is very sinister. This is extremely ominous… But we know that doesn’t happen because the story is being told retrospectively.”
— Colin

Jennifer is struck by the brevity and emotional power of the story’s language. She sees deeper meaning in the protagonist’s psychological journey, especially regarding themes of identity, displacement, and strained family relationships.

“The deeper you look into this story, the more psychologically resonant it is. But you could also just read it as we did in the beginning. Hey? Does this guy get shot by a rogue cop on the side of the road? Or what happens?”
— Jennifer

Joey focuses on the unresolved childhood trauma of the protagonist and his strained relationship with his father. He also highlights the protagonist’s sense of national identity, feeling like an “elsewhere man” who doesn’t fully belong in either of his cultural homes.

“He considers himself an elsewhere man, which I really liked that phrase… It’s a strange dichotomy that’s happening within him.”
— Joey

Key Themes

• Identity and Displacement: The protagonist grapples with his mixed cultural identity, feeling disconnected from both his mother’s homeland of Germany and his own birthplace of Ireland.
• Father-Son Conflict: The strained relationship with his father, a recurring theme throughout the story, affects the protagonist’s interactions and his sense of self-worth.
• Authority and Power: The tense encounter with the police officer echoes the protagonist’s relationship with his father, both figures wielding authority over him in a way that evokes fear and helplessness.
• Psychological Trauma: The story explores how unresolved childhood trauma influences the protagonist’s adult life and decisions.

Conclusion

Colin, Jennifer, and Joey wrap up the discussion by reflecting on how the protagonist’s experience on the Autobahn is a microcosm of his larger struggles with identity, authority, and unresolved family issues. Through tense, fragmented prose, Hamilton delivers a powerful exploration of displacement and trauma. The story’s ending leaves readers contemplating the protagonist’s future and the emotional toll of his past.