All That I Am by Anna Funder is an unusual pre-WWII novel that takes into account not only the after effects of WWI, but also the politics that flooded Germany before the war. Funder has crafted a psychological novel in some ways, but the characters who are most interesting and mysterious -- Hans and Dora -- also are the most distant. Perhaps they are more interesting and mysterious because they are seen through the eyes of those who knew and loved them best -- Ruth and Ernst Toller -- which begs the question of whether we -- ourselves -- would be more interesting to others if seen through our closest connections. Ruth, Ernst, Hans, and Dora, along with others, are forced to flee Germany for London after Hitler comes to power. Funder admits that many of the elements of her novel are taken from history and from her friend Ruth's actual life, but this novel is not just about the history and intrigue of German ex-pats seeking information from inside the regime about their friends and to warn other countries about Hitler's expectations for war.
All That I Am by Anna Funder
All That I Am by Anna Funder
All That I Am by Anna Funder
All That I Am by Anna Funder is an unusual pre-WWII novel that takes into account not only the after effects of WWI, but also the politics that flooded Germany before the war. Funder has crafted a psychological novel in some ways, but the characters who are most interesting and mysterious -- Hans and Dora -- also are the most distant. Perhaps they are more interesting and mysterious because they are seen through the eyes of those who knew and loved them best -- Ruth and Ernst Toller -- which begs the question of whether we -- ourselves -- would be more interesting to others if seen through our closest connections. Ruth, Ernst, Hans, and Dora, along with others, are forced to flee Germany for London after Hitler comes to power. Funder admits that many of the elements of her novel are taken from history and from her friend Ruth's actual life, but this novel is not just about the history and intrigue of German ex-pats seeking information from inside the regime about their friends and to warn other countries about Hitler's expectations for war.