Chris Kraus (2) (1963–)

Neither the Dutch ('Fabriek van Klootzakken) nor the French title ('La fabrique des Salauds') correctly reflect the orginal German title 'Das Kalte Bult' in which Chris Kraus tells the the story of the german-latvian Solm family throughout the major part of the 20th century. We get know a number of lesser-known episodes such as the history of the Baltic states on the eve of WWII and the formation of the secret service (BND) after WWII in West Germany. The difficult relationship between West show more Germany and the young state of Israel is also very fascinating to read. But apart from history, this virtuosoly written novel is above all a book about the human psyche in times of war and violence. The great thing about Kraus is that one continues to feel sympathy with both brothers although they are 'klootzakken'. Kraus lets you understand how they are recruited by the Nazis, why they start behaving like Nazis and even how they come to do commit heineous crimes. Although the book has excellent descriptions, it's main character (Koja Solm) does not come into its own. He often does things, sometimes out of fear, but more often it seems, because one has to do something. This is also the case with his love for Ev. Shaky is this love, sometimes driven by fear, but more often by indecision. All in all this huge book is an insane novel close to - but some way off- Jonathan Littel's 'Les Bienviellantes'. Every time you think: now it can't get any crazier, Chris Kraus comes up with new experiences that are even more absurd than the ones he has already described. Yet the novel is based on both the life of one of the author's grandfathers, and on German history of the 20th century, and he knows how to tell it in such a way that you go along with the story, no matter how bizarre and shocking all the events are. show less

**** : Compliqué, touffu mais passionnant. Sur l'apres guerre en Allemagne, le rôle de la CIA, des anciens nazis et des services secrets. Mais la question essentielle est quand et comment devient on un salaud de la pire espèce.

Interesante novela que cubre la historia alemana durante casi todo el siglo XX (hasta los 70).