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Private paradise: Cornelia Funke in her home in Malibu
Photo: Michael Orth
Cornelia Funke's house in the hills of Malibu crouches under gnarled avocado trees.
The property above the Pacific Coast Highway looks like a fantasy backdrop from one of her books: cacti, flowers, lily ponds, hand-painted signposts.
The lavender smells, a wind chimes tinkles, exotic birds screech, "my wild parrots," says Funke.
They are said to be descended from two parrots that used to belong to Bob Dylan, who lives not far away.
Funke is sitting outside, at a long wooden table, her blond-gray hair tucked back, a bottle of ginger beer in front of him.
A mask doesn't have to be at that distance, she says.
In the past few months she has had guests who wanted to recover from the corona stress in this idyll.
Germany's most successful young author has lived in California since 2005.
And that's exactly what she wants to talk about now: her adopted home - and why she's been increasingly struggling with it lately.
SPIEGEL:
Ms. Funke, the worst forest fires in a long time are raging in California.
You live right here in a danger zone.
Do not be afraid?
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