Roman, in a poignant moment, remarks: "We were indivisibly linked back then."

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In "Once Upon a Time We Were Inseparable," Swiss author Elisa Shua Dusapin delves into the complexities of sisterhood and the construction of memory. The novel, published by Kein & Aber, has 144 pages and costs 23.70 euros.

The story revolves around two sisters, Agathe and Vera, who have not seen each other in years. The need to clear out their late father's house brings them together for a few days in November. Agathe, a dialogue writer living in New York, is currently working on a film adaptation of Georges Perec's novel "W or the Memory of Childhood." Vera, who lost her ability to speak at the age of six and has remained mute since, hails from Austria.

The novel is set in the rural Périgord region of France, known for its forests and caves. It is Dusapin's third in German and tells the story of these sisters. The shared living space does not bring back the emotional closeness of earlier years. Instead, the novel explores the strained relationship between the two sisters, with Agathe feeling increasingly overwhelmed and resentful of Vera's silent dependence.

Elisa Shua Dusapin references Georges Perec's novel "W" in her work. In Perec's novel, questions about the construction of memory, filled with gaps and fractures, are explored. This thematic connection underscores the sisters' story, as Agathe and her sister Vera, who lost her speech as a child, reunite after years apart.

Georges Perec plays a symbolic role in the novel "Le vieil incendie" as the narrator Agathe is involved in writing a screenplay based on Perec's novel "W or Childhood Memories." This connection further emphasizes themes of memory and loss as Agathe and her sister Véra reflect on their fractured relationship and shared past.

The APA - Austria Presse Agentur eG, the largest national news and press agency in Austria, based in Vienna, is owned by Austrian daily newspapers and the ORF. It is interesting to note that the novel's other sister, Vera, is associated with this esteemed organisation, having grown up in Austria.

Leaving behind Korea and its landscapes, which have atmospherically shaped her first two novels, Dusapin has crafted a subtle, precise style that illuminates the characters and gives landscapes authenticity in "Once Upon a Time We Were Inseparable." Agathe and Vera agree that if they weren't sisters, they wouldn't have gotten to know each other so well. However, the brief reunion leaves something unresolved, resulting in a bittersweet note.

The novel, a thought-provoking exploration of sisterhood and memory, is a must-read for anyone seeking a poignant and insightful narrative.