An author I really should read. Always meant to. Unfortunately the hospital shop only sells rather unappealing books, and even more unfortunately, no beer. Thank goodness for internet connection though.
A few hours ago I read a bit of a baker's vita which made me once again furious and sad, the more as I read more horrible details on the German wikipedia site. Primo Levi's first and last book move(d) me deeply. Still, now I shall enjoy two pints, one for me and one for you.
Such monsters as the baker walk among us in every land. It just takes the wrong circumstances to align for their monstrosity to be given scope to develop and act.
How right you are describes Edgar Hilsenrath in "The Nazi and the Barber" (Hardcover ISBN 978-3-9816092-0-2, Paperback ISBN 978-3-9816092-1-9). Highly comended!
How about the people who let it happen? Not before 2018, did Canada apologise for having turned away a Jewish Refugees'ship in 1939. A Government official said then, about accepting any, "None is too many." Hard to sleep well at night on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Not "only" the government of Canada proved their grace of charity and human kindness with the 900 Jewish refugees on the St. Louis. Same goes for the U.S. and Cuba.
My father was a German Jew, so this day has particular significance for me. To the end of his days he could not/would not talk about the war - but I have no relatives and have never known any from his side of the family. I was pleased (which I rarely am) with our current Government who has pledged money for a Holocaust Education Centre in my city.
I met many people who like your dad would not have spoken about and (sometimes vehemently) would have refused to answer any questions. Sometimes their language, a slip of the tongue would have told if they had been victim or ... not. So little Sue grew up with both the English and the German language?
Definitely vehemently refused to answer questions. He escaped but we strongly suspect that much of his family didn't. And did learn (through a slip of the tongue that his mother escaped to the US - without him. And no, I didn't grow up with the German language. Like his religion he put it aside. He told us that religion cost too much. When he knew he was dying he had a great deal of fun in arranging his funeral. Good morning Rabbi. You don't know me but I would like to arrange a funeral. I am sorry for your loss - whose funeral. Mine. I hope you don't object to this very long comment. Feel free to delete it.
Primo Levi! I have a CD of his poems set to music by the Composer, Simon Bainbridge. A fascinating and amazing man. Makes me sad and angry too. A pity more people don't know about this man.
An author I really should read. Always meant to. Unfortunately the hospital shop only sells rather unappealing books, and even more unfortunately, no beer. Thank goodness for internet connection though.
ReplyDeleteA few hours ago I read a bit of a baker's vita which made me once again furious and sad, the more as I read more horrible details on the German wikipedia site.
DeletePrimo Levi's first and last book move(d) me deeply.
Still, now I shall enjoy two pints, one for me and one for you.
Two pints? One just for me? Ach what a fine man you are and how greatly I appreciate that selfless gesture. Goodnight.
DeleteI hope your pint will let you sleep well and dream sweet. The peace of the night.
DeleteSuch monsters as the baker walk among us in every land. It just takes the wrong circumstances to align for their monstrosity to be given scope to develop and act.
Delete...thoughts not so conducive to peaceful sleep, but I shall now banish them.
DeleteHow right you are describes Edgar Hilsenrath in "The Nazi and the Barber" (Hardcover ISBN 978-3-9816092-0-2, Paperback ISBN 978-3-9816092-1-9). Highly comended!
DeleteHow about the people who let it happen?
ReplyDeleteNot before 2018, did Canada apologise for having turned away a Jewish Refugees'ship in 1939. A Government official said then, about accepting any, "None is too many." Hard to sleep well at night on Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Not "only" the government of Canada proved their grace of charity and human kindness with the 900 Jewish refugees on the St. Louis. Same goes for the U.S. and Cuba.
DeleteMy father was a German Jew, so this day has particular significance for me. To the end of his days he could not/would not talk about the war - but I have no relatives and have never known any from his side of the family.
ReplyDeleteI was pleased (which I rarely am) with our current Government who has pledged money for a Holocaust Education Centre in my city.
I met many people who like your dad would not have spoken about and (sometimes vehemently) would have refused to answer any questions. Sometimes their language, a slip of the tongue would have told if they had been victim or ... not.
DeleteSo little Sue grew up with both the English and the German language?
Definitely vehemently refused to answer questions. He escaped but we strongly suspect that much of his family didn't. And did learn (through a slip of the tongue that his mother escaped to the US - without him. And no, I didn't grow up with the German language. Like his religion he put it aside. He told us that religion cost too much. When he knew he was dying he had a great deal of fun in arranging his funeral. Good morning Rabbi. You don't know me but I would like to arrange a funeral. I am sorry for your loss - whose funeral. Mine.
DeleteI hope you don't object to this very long comment. Feel free to delete it.
Thank you for telling, Sue.
DeleteWhat lucky generations we are, and so many seem to not appriciate it.
Primo Levi! I have a CD of his poems set to music by the Composer, Simon Bainbridge. A fascinating and amazing man. Makes me sad and angry too. A pity more people don't know about this man.
ReplyDeleteWhat literature is for me, music is for you, Mark, right? You seem to have a marvellous collection.
DeleteThat's a good comparison actually.
ReplyDelete