Rico, Oskar und die Tieferschatten

The book does a great job capturing Rico's view of the world with empathy. I wonder what inspired Andreas Steinhöfel to tell the story through his eyes and how he approached representing a character with special needs.

The story manages to be funny and light while also touching on deeper issues like loneliness and acceptance. I’m curious if others felt this balance was intentional or if it evolved during writing.

The story is set in Germany, and the cultural details add charm and authenticity. Do you think the local setting enhances the themes, or could it have been set elsewhere as well?