The Thumbnail Book Reviews
by John Q McDonald --- 29 December 1999
by Günter Grass
Günter Grass's own century is steeped in politics, war, Germany's split identity, and a little literature and soccer. This unusual book is made up of one hundred seperate brief stories as told by many individuals from 1900 to 1999. There are countless references to specific historic personages and events that may make the non-German reader a little crazy. Yet, as the book moves on, it takes on a subtly powerful tone. This is one man's look at one nutty century. Some of the stories are very personal, almost memoir. Grass brings us to meetings between East and West German literati and politicians. He also brings us to literary events that he clearly experienced himself. The two great wars in which Germany played key roles set the tone of the entire history as presented here. The Berlin Wall is a character. Yet, as personal as the experience is, there is less personal or romantic in the book than the political. It is almost a personal story of Germany the nation. The book rewards patience (and perhaps a little research as well). It has an odd but fascinating structure, and thin threads of personality and history run throughout.
(Günter Grass was awarded the 1999 Nobel Prize for literature.)