The Rings of Saturn

W.G. Sebald frames the narrative of The Rings of Saturn as a walking tour taken by an unnamed narrator through the county of Suffolk in England. As the narrator explores the region, he encounters many people, places, and stories. These serve as starting points for thoughts on broader themes such as history, memory, and mortality.

Sebald weaves together topics and historical events, ranging from the decline of the herring industry to the hell of World War II and the Holocaust. He incorporates real figures, such as writer Thomas Browne and silk merchant Sir Thomas Browne, into the narrative, blurring the boundaries between fact and fiction.

The book's title, "The Rings of Saturn," alludes to the planet Saturn's rings but also symbolizes circularity and recurrence. Sebald employs a circular narrative structure, often returning to themes and motifs, creating a connected web of stories and ideas.

Sebald's prose is melancholic. He employs long, meandering sentences and includes black-and-white photographs, blurring the line between text and visual representation. These elements combine to create a dreamlike and introspective reading experience.