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The novel is set against the serene yet majestic backdrop of Lake Rosana in the Bavarian foothills, a place of unparalleled beauty and tranquility. Here, amidst the peaceful nature, unfolds the extraordinary love story of two gay men from the upper echelons of society.
Jonas, who enjoys wearing women's clothes and makeup, embodies the courage to live his true identity, regardless of societal expectations and prejudices. His manner of expression and appearance challenge the narrow conceptions of gender and identity, bringing him into conflict with the rigid norms of his social environment.
"Lipstick and Bavarian Lederhosen" is a deeply moving story that takes readers on an emotional journey, impressively highlighting themes of love, identity, and societal acceptance.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025
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Reading Sample
Lipstick and Bavarian Lederhosen
Jonas looks into the mirror hanging above a small wooden cabinet decorated with traditional Bavarian patterns. In the background, a song by Helmut and Sonja, who live here in the valley, plays, titled "In the Dark." What Jonas sees is his reflection and, at the same time, someone completely different. He sees a Lolita with black hair, red pouty lips, and a short mini dress. He doesn't see the shoes with the high platform soles because the mirror doesn't extend that far down. The mirror shows a vulnerable Jonas. His blue eyes, almost hidden behind deeply black mascara-coated lashes, look at him questioningly, insecure, yet somehow defiant, as if they want to say, "You are beautiful just as you are; show it to the world." With this thought, he turns his gaze away from the mirror and looks outside. He sees across the street, which runs past the farm, to green meadows that line up until the forest begins. Here and there, a cow stands in the pasture. His favorite, Evi, like all the others, a Fleckvieh, stands directly by the fence, looking very curiously in his direction. Yesterday, as is customary for the Marian blessing, he went herb collecting for Evi and the others. He found sage, wild carrot, arnica, and chamomile; the other herbs he gets from his own garden. Now he is dressed up and wants to enjoy the evening entirely alone as Lolita before the big procession in honor of Mary takes place tomorrow. He thinks of Hubert while his gaze is directed outside.
So, tomorrow is the day he would meet Hubert again, his dearest friend from childhood. They were simply inseparable; even after school, they were almost always in the cowshed on Jonas' farm. No one disturbed them when they made plans for a shared future. But after school, Hubert went to Nuremberg to study. Apartments and life there were affordable compared to Munich. He himself stayed, became an apprentice painter, and then attended the master school as a restorer. A week ago, Hubert's voice was on the answering machine. It sounded very familiar yet mysterious. He is visiting his parents for the Assumption and has big news. He is bringing someone with him and wants to meet Jonas right after church.
Jonas runs his hands through his hair and begins to take off his Lolita wig. At that moment, his eyes meet in the mirror. What would Hubert say if he saw me like this? Although he had always felt different at school, he only gained the courage to dress like today during his apprenticeship; by then, Hubert had long settled in his new home in Nuremberg.
Today is August 15th, Assumption Day, and so Jonas walks with the others in the procession to the church to celebrate the service there. Whenever he thinks of Hubert, he feels a slight pressure in his stomach. While his thoughts are still on Hubert, Jonas spots his crush, Martin, in the procession, and his heart makes a little leap.
Upon arriving at the church, Jonas watches the ritual of herb blessing intently. Suddenly, he feels a hand on his shoulder. Startled and curious at the same time, he turns around and looks into Hubert's face. Even before Jonas can utter a word, Hubert places his finger on his lips, signaling Jonas to follow him. "Hello, old friend," are Hubert's first words after the heavy church door closes behind them. He takes Jonas almost fatherly in his arms. "How are you? You haven't changed at all; we haven't seen each other in ages." With these words, Hubert greets his old friend: "Did you see the priest," he continues, "how he only had eyes for his lector? It was embarrassing that he didn't even look at the women whose herbs he was blessing. He and the lector were like two lovebirds." Jonas' ears grow larger at Hubert's words. But before he can open his mouth to respond, Hubert just keeps talking. "Actually, I think it's perfectly fine for two people who love each other to show themselves as a couple in public. It doesn't matter if it's two men or two women who love each other. These people should have their rights too." Now Jonas listens more closely and is relieved that his friend Hubert hasn't turned into a homophobic racist. Maybe he can show him his other side too. Jonas draws hope that society is much more open today. "That's all fine, but such a thing would never happen in my house," Hubert abruptly pulls him back to reality. The landing in reality is hard; there is no misunderstanding as Hubert immediately continues: "In my house, there is order and rules. I would cut off their balls if they touched my son."
After a brief pause, Jonas collects himself again: "What brings you back to your parents' house after so many years? I hope no one in your family is ill." "I am the happiest person on earth; I am getting married, and in six weeks, on October 1st, the engagement will be celebrated at the farm, and I would like to warmly invite you as my friend from school days," comes like a bolt from Hubert's mouth, and with a wink, he adds, "You are welcome to bring someone with you."
Two weeks later, Hubert and his fiancée Moni sit at a richly set breakfast table. "Slowly, my inner restlessness is growing." Moni murmurs the menu sequence to herself; occasionally, she pauses and looks at Hubert, "After the artichokes with truffles, we definitely want the Gamba Carabinero; we should pre-order them." Without waiting for an answer, Moni continues, "As a very special appetizer, there will be Bresaola ham in an Asian arrangement with pandan, lotus root, and edamame. Then the main courses with sweetbreads, black cod and caviar, and venison from the Black Forest." Hubert fully agrees with the menu and adds, "Then I want a formal dress code; smart casual is too informal for me."
Jonas stands in his living room; today is the big day; tonight, the engagement will be celebrated, and his thoughts revolve around the evening. He goes into the bathroom, fills the water, and looks forward to his beauty bath. In the bathtub, everything is ready for shaving his legs. The razor blade glides along his legs in long strokes. Strip by strip, the blade reveals the bare leg. The skin shimmers softly beneath the water's surface. The legs are tanned by the sun because he always works on the construction site in shorts in the summer. Next, the armpit hair falls, followed by the chest hair. At the dressing table, he perfects his figure, Lady Chaddy. He loves being both artist and artwork at the same time.
A final scrutinizing look in the mirror only shows half of what Jonas expects to see. He is quite startled that he doesn't see the cheeky bride in the reflection as he has dressed up but a little girl with fear written all over her face. A fear that now overwhelms him so intensely that he has to sit down. How would the others react? Everyone knows him from the church renovations, in overalls splattered with paint, short hair, and work boots. Maybe he would be turned away at the door as a formal dress code is required. All the dignitaries from the valley are invited, setting a certain tone to the atmosphere. Jonas no longer knows how long he has been pondering in front of the dressing table. Suddenly, he feels a strength rising within him. Jonas stands up—yes, he wants to dare, he has to dare. With a wig and miniskirt, he more runs out of the house than walks, afraid he might change his mind at the last minute.
