The anniversary year is set to start a few weeks from now, but the marketing machinery accompanying the festivities to mark the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation is already running at full speed. It also extends to Katharina von Bora, Luther’s wife.

What next? The train is late, the car is jam-packed, and to top it off, it is stuffy inside because the ventilation isn’t working. One passenger loses it, complaining loudly to the conductor. His response? “You should be happy you’re just a customer. I have to work here!”

It takes place within just a few minutes: I pick the thick volume up from the nightstand and flip through the pages until I find the spot where I left off. Another sip of tea, and I start a new chapter.