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The God of that Summer

Autor*innen

Ralf Rothmann

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3,3(54)Abgeben

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This book's power lies in its depiction of civilians striving to maintain ordinary lives amid the horrors of war. As World War II nears its end, millions in Germany are displaced by bombings, seeking refuge in the countryside where resources are scarce. Twelve-year-old Luisa, her mother, and her sister Billie escape the devastation of the city for a dairy farm's relative safety. However, the war's power struggles persist; the family relies on Luisa's brother-in-law, an SS officer, who shifts his attention from his wife to Billie in expectation of payment. While Luisa immerses herself in books, she becomes aware of the Allied bombers overhead, the emaciated prisoners at a nearby camp, and the disappearance of young boys from the milk shed, sent off to a war that is already lost. Life on the farm teaches Luisa about existence and mortality, but it is humanity's capacity for violence that ultimately shatters her innocence. At a birthday celebration, her worst fears come to fruition, leading Luisa to collapse under the weight of her experiences. This narrative captures the devastating reality faced by civilians during the chaos of defeat, illustrating how a twelve-year-old might justifiably claim, "I have experienced everything."