Polar Bears

Karen Minden & Marie Luise Kaschnitz
Polar Bears

“She never doubted that if she could only wrap her arms around his neck, he’d be convinced that something akin to love could develop while something else could wither and die, leaving a mere, horrific cadaver.”

Marie Luise Kaschnitz’ story is about a woman and the man she married out of fear of living alone who she learned to love over the years.

He was aware that she was keeping her eyes open every time she turned her head a certain way to each side, like the polar bears did when they met at a zoo, years previous.

He referred to her as ‘his polar bear’: a sort of suspicion that she thought of as a nickname. One night, they discuss their life together, talk about love and the lies told until another truth emerges.

This story, first published in 1966, now appears with an added striking dimension thanks to Minden’s illustrations for this new edition of Kaschnitz’ short story. Her fine pencil drawings provide readers with emotions and insights into the protagonist.

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