At first everyone seems to have a problem - paralysed limbs, epilepsy - or a dissatisfaction (the angry brother who drinks and is just out of therapy, the mother who blames the son for laziness, the care worker who is cynical and likely dishonest). Amadou simply wants to stay in Germany however he can. We begin to see the 'healthy' people are generally more unhappy than those with physical or mental problems, fearing or despising everyone who is 'different' and resentful of everyone they must interact with. Granny sees Amadou as "a great tragedy around one's neck" but in the end he is the kinder and more thoughtful one. The mother inadvertently does everything wrong, leading to a terrible (perhaps inevitable?) end for Thomas and nearly wrecking Nora too.
In a way we arrive at the end with a positive resolution, Nora and Isabel friends again, an African baby bringing happiness to the two women and honour to Amadou's family. There is a future waiting. A lot of information is tucked into the interstices here, opinions and evidence of racism and (well-meaning) cruelty, but people in the long-term care home (old friends now, party hosts) seem to work well within their world. Your opening remarks about passion and positive outlook have come true.
In a way we arrive at the end with a positive resolution, Nora and Isabel friends again, an African baby bringing happiness to the two women and honour to Amadou's family. There is a future waiting. A lot of information is tucked into the interstices here, opinions and evidence of racism and (well-meaning) cruelty, but people in the long-term care home (old friends now, party hosts) seem to work well within their world. Your opening remarks about passion and positive outlook have come true.