Set against the electric streets of 1980s West Berlin, Café Babanussa follows Ruby Edwards as she leaves Canada to reshape her life. Immersed in a scene of punk, new music and creative communities, Ruby confronts questions of race, belonging and personal identity.

The novel traces bright highs and dark lows with compassion and clarity, portraying mental illness, recovery and the sustaining power of family and community. The narrative is both intimate and socially aware, balancing sharp cultural detail with emotional depth.

Also available here is Karen Hill’s essay On Being Crazy, which complements the book’s frank exploration of mental-health experience.

• Themes: identity, mental health, 1980s Berlin
• Tone: lyrical, affecting, socially observant

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