
Member Reviews

’It’s never too late to change. We have so much to make up for.’
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Modern Classics for the opportunity to read the ARC of this novella!
I am highly impressed by how condensed this story is; from the political ideology affecting the common folk, the warfare and its damages (both physical and mental), to the complex feelings and personalities of all characters. The omniscient narrative perspective also aids the reader in understanding all characters, all circumstances, and that during those times, there is no black and white, but only shades of grey.
The plot is relatively predictable to anyone who knows history but, at the same time, it’s also what keeps you on edge, as it offers a sort of dreading thrill — the haunting question of what will happen, in the end, to Kathrin and Alexei?
There are four main characters. Firstly, Kathrin, a young woman who got married only because her father and family wanted to get rid of her. Her married life isn’t rosy in any way whatsoever, but her husband never mistreated her, so that kept her going. She was listless and hopeless, and lacking of any desire to live until she met Alexei, whose mere presence had been a very good influence of Kathrin. Her character development throughout the novella has been absolutely great and I have enjoyed having this journey with her.
Alexei, a prisoner of war, finds himself forced to labour on a farm. He is a tormented creature, haunted by the war, and truly believes in Russia and its purpose, his comrades and the beauty of peace of the future. Through his character, the Soviet side is heavily romanticised, which honestly is to be expected as this was first published in 1956 in East Germany. However, it left me a slight bitter feeling, this complete erasure of the atrocities of the Soviet Army.
Frieda, sister in law to Kathrin, acting like the typical villainous spinster; she has her own dramatic fate, however, instead of growing out of it, she indulges in it and ultimately triggers the collapse of everyone’s relatively peaceful lives. I will say though, without spoiling, that it was very satisfying to see that every action of hers had its consequences.
I oddly found Heinrich the most complex character. Kathrin’s husband, gone to war; he was much more profound than I expected, and while he is a man full of contradictions (making the reader both dislike his faults and appreciate his qualities at the same time), his portrayal as a Nazi soldier is well done. Just when you expect him to be the stereotypical horrible husband, his psyche unravels such raw and humane sentiments which take the reader by surprise.
The translation is well done, and reflected the beauty of the original prose, flawlessly transmitting the bittersweetness of the love story and other elements.