Synopsis

“Who am I?” is a philosophical novel that explores identity, memory, and the continuity of consciousness beyond a single human life.

Adam Vogel, a mechanical engineer living a disciplined, uneventful life in postwar Germany, survives a severe car crash that leaves him in a coma. Upon waking, he begins to experience vivid memories that do not belong to his known past. He witnesses scenes of historical violence, including executions and wars, and long stretches of silent existence in which he is present but powerless, unable to intervene. Medical specialists dismiss his experiences as trauma-related hallucinations, yet Adam feels an unshakable certainty that what he remembers is real.

Unable to find answers in science or medicine, Adam turns to personal research. His search leads him to the Stadtbibliothek in Bielefeld, where he meets Erika Blumenfeld, a librarian whose quiet empathy and intellectual curiosity allow him to speak freely without fear of judgment. Together, they examine historical sources and forgotten ecclesiastical practices, tracing Adam’s memories to medieval Spain.

Their journey takes them to Aragon, near the village of Loarre, where Adam encounters the physical remnant of an ancient oak tied to the visions that have haunted him. There, he has a profound revelation that forces him to confront the difference between what a person is and who a person is.

Returning home, Adam no longer seeks proof or explanation. Having accepted the soul as a persistent witness beyond form and time, he chooses love, presence, and human connection. The novel ends with a quiet meditation on identity, continuity, and the courage to live fully once inner truth is recognized.