Mother is a drinker, and her father is a wealthy importer of velvet.
As he grows older, he is impressed by what he perceives to be Nazi power, particularly since he considers himself to be "weak."
He travels to Berlin in January 1942, ostensibly to attend art school but in fact to discover "truth," where he meets Kristin/Stella Goldschlag and Tristan von Appen.
Friedrich is a fine, direct narrator who captures Berlin in the 1940s; the language is staccato in places, which fits the scenario of the Nazi yolk intensifying, particularly on Jews.
I enjoy the monthly roundup, which outlines the pressures on the German population as well as current affairs around the world.
The announcement of Disney's Bambi, which makes such a stark contrast, is one that really resonates. Friedrich's father's letters from Turkey, which document a lively life in contrast to Berlin and Friedrich's growing feelings of betrayal, are especially appealing.
It is obvious early on that our narrator is naive in his youth because it takes him a long time to know who Kristin is in fact, and vice versa for von Appen.
He knows he's been stupid and wrong about everything, and he accepts it. .
Kristin's truth emerges in fragments interspersed throughout the story, and it is shocking.
What we discover here is not new; it has been well documented; however, what is unique about this novel is how the characters are depicted; their freely admitted ideas to Friedrich clash with their pragmatic behavior in the interest of self-preservation. Friedrich's deep fascination with Kristin gives way to a very dark tale that makes for compelling reading.
It becomes less about him and more about Kristin/Stella, who is mysterious, complex, and complex.
As he grows older, he is impressed by what he perceives to be Nazi power, particularly since he considers himself to be "weak."
He travels to Berlin in January 1942, ostensibly to attend art school but in fact to discover "truth," where he meets Kristin/Stella Goldschlag and Tristan von Appen.
Friedrich is a fine, direct narrator who captures Berlin in the 1940s; the language is staccato in places, which fits the scenario of the Nazi yolk intensifying, particularly on Jews.
I enjoy the monthly roundup, which outlines the pressures on the German population as well as current affairs around the world.
The announcement of Disney's Bambi, which makes such a stark contrast, is one that really resonates. Friedrich's father's letters from Turkey, which document a lively life in contrast to Berlin and Friedrich's growing feelings of betrayal, are especially appealing.
It is obvious early on that our narrator is naive in his youth because it takes him a long time to know who Kristin is in fact, and vice versa for von Appen.
He knows he's been stupid and wrong about everything, and he accepts it. .
Kristin's truth emerges in fragments interspersed throughout the story, and it is shocking.
What we discover here is not new; it has been well documented; however, what is unique about this novel is how the characters are depicted; their freely admitted ideas to Friedrich clash with their pragmatic behavior in the interest of self-preservation. Friedrich's deep fascination with Kristin gives way to a very dark tale that makes for compelling reading.
It becomes less about him and more about Kristin/Stella, who is mysterious, complex, and complex.