You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by maddykate
Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor
5.0
My eye caught this book yesterday, and not thinking much of it, I decided to purchase it for a quick Sunday read. What I wasn’t expecting though, was a brilliant, powerful novel covering the effects that political fascism has on those exposed to it.
Address Unknown follows the changes of two people’s relationship during the early rise of Hitler in Nazi Germany. With one Jewish art dealer in San Francisco and one former business partner who returned to Germany in 1932, the novel is formatted in letters between them during a short period of time. A few specific moments caught my eye.
“I have never hated the individual Jew – yourself I have always cherished as a friend, but you will know that I speak in all honesty when I say I have loved you, not because of your race but in spite of it.”
There’s a moment where Max tells Martin he has faith in his “liberal mind and warm heart,” which could be seen in the beginning. Martin questions if Hitler is even sane, but also recognizes the change of attitude within the German population. Shame turned to patriotism. But surely as we all know, Martin’s fate is the same as many Germans, seen adoring the “gentle leader” and justifies the execution of Jews like “cutting out the cancer” that ails the Fatherland.
It’s a brilliantly tragic novel, shedding light on the real threat Fascism and political propaganda have on society.
Address Unknown follows the changes of two people’s relationship during the early rise of Hitler in Nazi Germany. With one Jewish art dealer in San Francisco and one former business partner who returned to Germany in 1932, the novel is formatted in letters between them during a short period of time. A few specific moments caught my eye.
“I have never hated the individual Jew – yourself I have always cherished as a friend, but you will know that I speak in all honesty when I say I have loved you, not because of your race but in spite of it.”
There’s a moment where Max tells Martin he has faith in his “liberal mind and warm heart,” which could be seen in the beginning. Martin questions if Hitler is even sane, but also recognizes the change of attitude within the German population. Shame turned to patriotism. But surely as we all know, Martin’s fate is the same as many Germans, seen adoring the “gentle leader” and justifies the execution of Jews like “cutting out the cancer” that ails the Fatherland.
It’s a brilliantly tragic novel, shedding light on the real threat Fascism and political propaganda have on society.