This months readalong title Death of the Adversary aka Der Tod des Widersachers by Hans Keilson is also part of German Literature Month. Keilson was an interesting figure. A German/Dutch novelist and psychiatrist who is most famous for his WWII novels. Born in 1909 in Germany, Keilson, who was Jewish, emigrated in 1936 to the Netherlands where he stayed until his death in 2011. During the war he was part of the Dutch Resistance. In his work he tried to analyse and illustrate the psychological, political and cultural aftermath of WWII.
Here is the book blurb
1930s Germany; the shadow of Nazism looms. Pictures of the new dictator, ‘B.’, fill magazines and newspapers. Our hero is ten when his world begins to change dramatically. Suddenly, the other children won’t let him join in their games. Later, he is refused a job on a shop-floor. Later still, he hears youths boasting of an attack on a Jewish cemetery. Both hypnotised and horrified by his enemy, our hero chronicles the fear, anger and defiance of everyday life under tyranny.
Written while Hans Keilson was in hiding during World War II, this novel is a powerful account of what he outlived. Painful, trenchant and streaked with dark humour The Death of the Adversary is a rediscovered masterpiece.
And the first sentences
For days and weeks now I have thought of nothhing but death. Though I am normally a late riser, I get up early every morning now, calm and uplifted, after a night of drealess sleep. I feel all my powers string and ready within me, as they have not been for a long time. I welcome the day which brings me once again the thought of death.
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The discussion starts on Friday, 29 November 2013.
Further information on the Literature and War Readalong 2013, including all the book blurbs, can be found here.
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
This looks to be a very interesting book. The dynamic that occurs when people become to0 enamored with dictators is interesting but troubling. I think can also make for very enlightening fiction.
I’m really looking forward to read this. I’ve heard such good things. He’s experienced oppression first hand.
I just got this one from the library the other day, and I really hope I have time to read it for the discussion!
It would be great if you could join. It’s a short book.
This sounds good, too! I thought I had already bought it but apparently not. Luckily my library has it so I requested it and will pick it up there in a day or two!
I have high hopes for this one. I’m also tempted to read his memoir which came out not too long ago.
This looks like a very autobiographical and a beautiful book, Caroline. Love that passage you have quoted, especially the last sentence – so powerful. It will be interesting to compare this novel with Keilson’s memoir. Happy reading, Caroline! Will look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book.
Thanks, Vishy. I’m really looking foward to this.
It’s interesting that he wrote in German although he left Germany at and never returned.
I’ve reviewed his other novel at mine, Comedy in a Minor Key, and I thought it was absolutely superb. Really looking forward to your thoughts on this one therefore.
That’s so good to know. I wasn’t sure which one to pick first but form the German reviews I rea, they thought they were equally good.
What an interesting person the author sounds – I’d really like to know more about him. I’m always fascinated by psychotherapists/psychiatrists who write. Does this book have a psychological dimension, do you know?
I’m not sure. I only know he gave up writing in the end to dedicate himself full time to psychiatry. He was specialized in trauma in children.
I think you’d find his memoir interesting. It might already be translated.
I really look forward to the discussion on this one because he actually lived through it. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Caroline.
That’s what makes it even more interesting, I agree.
This one sounds wonderful and I’m looking forward to the discussion on it. I hope you enjoy it.
Yes, it does. Sounds like he was an interesting man as well.