A Normal Couple: Part 1 (1939-41) (Write-on Publications, Band 14) - Hardcover

Inhaltsangabe

Berlin, 1939:

In the tumultuous times of Nazi Germany, a young man and young woman find love, marry, and start a family. However, can an ordinary couple live a normal life amidst the erosion of the rule of law, the open persecution of minorities, and wartime restrictions that replace the once familiar freedom and ease?

This novel delves into the lives of an average couple in war-torn Berlin. By exploring the everyday conditions in late 1930s Berlin and the first two years of the war, the story offers new insights. From the perspective of ordinary individuals, a surprising picture emerges that may challenge the perceptions of non-German readers in the twenty-first century. The narrative alternates between humor, lightness, serious discussions, and feelings of fear, resignation, and tragedy. Meticulously researched with a wealth of detail, the book is both easy to read and described as a compelling "page-turner."
Leo, a musicologist, and Emma, a secretary, meet while working at the Ministry of Propaganda and State Security in Berlin. Emma's family, led by a politically neutral father who is a judge, shows little interest in politics. However, Emma possesses a strong moral compass and is aware of the growing injustice in the world around her. On the other hand, Leo is a member of the Nazi party and an inactive member of the SS. He supports Hitler and his ideologies while regretting the atrocities committed, believing them to be unavoidable for the country's renewal. Leo's primary focus is developing his career in the Department of Music while his life revolves around his small family. Providing a contrast to Emma and Leo is Leo's outspoken socialist father.

Through a series of chronological episodes, the book follows Leo, Emma, their relatives, and friends from early 1939 until the end of 1941. Emma's family home provides humorous and fascinating details about everyday life in middle-class families during that time. Food rationing presents challenges in preparing beloved meals, and the elegant fashions of the late thirties must be adapted in an era when clothing is only accessible through coupons. The strict rules for monitoring the fiancée of an SS member are initially met with humor but soon turn into disgust. The terror of the first bombing raids on Berlin shakes Emma's resolve, leading her to contemplate seeking refuge in the home of their half-Jewish landlord, who has miraculously avoided deportation.

These examples are merely a glimpse into the myriad issues that dominate normal life in early 1940s Berlin and form the core of this book. With meticulous research and a profusion of realistic details, it offers a vibrant account of a young couple coping with a tense and increasingly dangerous environment.

A Normal Couple is a perfect choice for readers who are looking for a good read, for those interested in the history of the war, and for students of social history in this era and location. Olga Peters will continue Emma and Leo's story alongside their families until 1948 in two subsequent novels.

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