Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s Reviews > Address Unknown
Address Unknown
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Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s review
bookshelves: favorites, short-stories-novella, 2022-favorite-reads
Feb 04, 2022
bookshelves: favorites, short-stories-novella, 2022-favorite-reads
Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor is an epistolary novella that features a series of fictional letters between Max Eisenstein, a German-American art dealer of Jewish faith living in San Francisco and his friend and business partner, Martin Schulse who has recently returned to Germany with his family. Together they owned and operated Schulse-Eisenstein Galleries in San Francisco.
The series of eighteen letters (and one cablegram) stretches from 1932 when Martin moves back to Munich and ends in 1934 and follows a timeline in pre-WW2 Europe charting Hitler’s gradual ascent to power and the strengthening of anti-Semitic sentiments resulting in persecution Jews. Parallel to the changes in the political landscape and ideology in Nazi Germany we see the disintegration of what we can assume was a long-standing friendship. We see, on the one hand, the changes in Martin’s attitude and commitment towards his friendship with Max and his growing devotion to Hitler and Nazism on the other. Max, initially, is hopeful that their friendship would remain unaffected and attempts to remind Martin of the liberal beliefs they shared before Martin’s departure.
“But there is another realm where we can always find something true, the fireside of a friend, where we shed our little conceits and find warmth and understanding, where small selfishnesses are impossible and where wine and books and talk give a different meaning to existence. There we have made something that no falseness can touch. We are at home.”
We witness how Martin emerges from his initial hesitation over Hitler’s agenda(“Yet cautiously to myself I ask, a leader to where? Despair overthrown often turns us in mad directions.”) to a fully indoctrinated and committed Nazi (his reference to Hitler as the “Glorious Leader”).
“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.”
Martin denounces liberalism as “musty sentimentalizing” and stands firm in his decision to distance himself from Max lest he loses favor with the Nazi party or is viewed as a traitor. (“Do you know what it is to be taken to a concentration camp?”, he writes to Max). His words portray him as a man who is slowly being brainwashed into believing that the oppression and persecution of the Jewish population would result in establishing a “superior” race and securing a great future for Germany. The darkness within him and his loss of humanity is evident in his refusal to help Griselle, Max’s sister with whom he once shared a romantic relationship, when she approaches him for help - an act that ultimately forces Max’s hand.
Written in 1938, this novella was inspired by the changes the author noted in her own German friends who were influenced by Nazism upon returning to Germany. Even though the timeline of this novella pre-dates WW2, it remains just as powerful and relevant to this very day. At approximately sixty-six pages, this is a short but impactful read that will leave a lasting impression. This is an important book, the kind of book that is meant to be read, shared, and never forgotten. In the introduction to this book , Margot Livesey aptly sums up the timelessness of the central theme of this thought-provoking novella.
“How do we know what we know, and when do we know it? Why does a good person become a bad person? What power does a citizen have against the state?”
The series of eighteen letters (and one cablegram) stretches from 1932 when Martin moves back to Munich and ends in 1934 and follows a timeline in pre-WW2 Europe charting Hitler’s gradual ascent to power and the strengthening of anti-Semitic sentiments resulting in persecution Jews. Parallel to the changes in the political landscape and ideology in Nazi Germany we see the disintegration of what we can assume was a long-standing friendship. We see, on the one hand, the changes in Martin’s attitude and commitment towards his friendship with Max and his growing devotion to Hitler and Nazism on the other. Max, initially, is hopeful that their friendship would remain unaffected and attempts to remind Martin of the liberal beliefs they shared before Martin’s departure.
“But there is another realm where we can always find something true, the fireside of a friend, where we shed our little conceits and find warmth and understanding, where small selfishnesses are impossible and where wine and books and talk give a different meaning to existence. There we have made something that no falseness can touch. We are at home.”
We witness how Martin emerges from his initial hesitation over Hitler’s agenda(“Yet cautiously to myself I ask, a leader to where? Despair overthrown often turns us in mad directions.”) to a fully indoctrinated and committed Nazi (his reference to Hitler as the “Glorious Leader”).
“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.”
Martin denounces liberalism as “musty sentimentalizing” and stands firm in his decision to distance himself from Max lest he loses favor with the Nazi party or is viewed as a traitor. (“Do you know what it is to be taken to a concentration camp?”, he writes to Max). His words portray him as a man who is slowly being brainwashed into believing that the oppression and persecution of the Jewish population would result in establishing a “superior” race and securing a great future for Germany. The darkness within him and his loss of humanity is evident in his refusal to help Griselle, Max’s sister with whom he once shared a romantic relationship, when she approaches him for help - an act that ultimately forces Max’s hand.
Written in 1938, this novella was inspired by the changes the author noted in her own German friends who were influenced by Nazism upon returning to Germany. Even though the timeline of this novella pre-dates WW2, it remains just as powerful and relevant to this very day. At approximately sixty-six pages, this is a short but impactful read that will leave a lasting impression. This is an important book, the kind of book that is meant to be read, shared, and never forgotten. In the introduction to this book , Margot Livesey aptly sums up the timelessness of the central theme of this thought-provoking novella.
“How do we know what we know, and when do we know it? Why does a good person become a bad person? What power does a citizen have against the state?”
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Reading Progress
February 3, 2022
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Started Reading
February 4, 2022
– Shelved
February 4, 2022
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Finished Reading
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Kristine
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Feb 04, 2022 11:21PM
Sujoya, such a thoughtful review you did. This sounds like a disturbing, but relevant story for our current times. Thank you.
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Kristine wrote: "Sujoya, such a thoughtful review you did. This sounds like a disturbing, but relevant story for our current times. Thank you."
Thank you so much, Kristine! This is indeed a relevant story.
Thank you so much, Kristine! This is indeed a relevant story.
Marialyce (absltmom, yaya) wrote: "Fabulous review, Sujoya, for what sounds like a powerful story."
Thank you so much, Marialyce ! It is indeed a thought provoking read.
Thank you so much, Marialyce ! It is indeed a thought provoking read.
Stacey B wrote: "This book was quite powerful. Left me speechless.
Read the authors bio-"
I agree, Stacey! This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.
Read the authors bio-"
I agree, Stacey! This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.
An excellent review, Sujoya. I think this short little book is a classic and have read it several times. It never fails to move me.
message 12:
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Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from
(last edited Feb 17, 2022 08:49PM)
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rated it 5 stars
Jill wrote: "An excellent review, Sujoya. I think this short little book is a classic and have read it several times. It never fails to move me."
Thank You, Jill! I agree with you.This is a short but very powerful read.
Thank You, Jill! I agree with you.This is a short but very powerful read.
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "I’ve been looking forward to this. Terrific review, Sujoya!"
Thank you, Jennifer!😊 This is a powerful read. I hope you also like it!
Thank you, Jennifer!😊 This is a powerful read. I hope you also like it!
Valerie wrote: "Thanks for bringing attention to this book. Great review!"
Thank you, Valerie! 😊 This is an impactful read!
Thank you, Valerie! 😊 This is an impactful read!
Miya (struggling with pain, keeping reviews short) wrote: "Beautiful review Sujoya!"
Many thanks, Miya!💛
Many thanks, Miya!💛
Yun wrote: "Great review, Sujoya! Sounds like an interesting read... glad you enjoyed! :)"
Thank you, Yun! 😊 It's a powerful read for sure!
Thank you, Yun! 😊 It's a powerful read for sure!
Sarah wrote: "Terrific review that convinces me to read this soon! Thanks, Sujoya"
Thank you kindly, Sarah! 😊I look forward to your thoughts!
Thank you kindly, Sarah! 😊I look forward to your thoughts!
Dorie - Cats&Books :) wrote: "Wonderful review Sujoya, sounds like a disturbing read !"
Thank you, Dorie! 😊 It's a short but impactful read!
Thank you, Dorie! 😊 It's a short but impactful read!
Marilyn wrote: "This one sounds really good! Stellar review, Sujoya!"
Many thanks, Marilyn!😊 It is an excellent read!
Many thanks, Marilyn!😊 It is an excellent read!
Andrea wrote: "What a review! What a book!!"
Thank you, Andrea! I agree. This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read!
Thank you, Andrea! I agree. This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read!