Danzig Trilogy: The Tin Drum, Cat and Mouse, Dog Years

"The Danzig Trilogy" consists of 2 lengthy novels and one short novella- "The Tin Drum", "Cat and Mouse", and "Dog Years". Though not a continuing story, all three books take place during the same time frame covering the years of World War II and approximately ten-year span pre and post war periods. While all three adventures involve totally different characters the one thread that bonds them together is the location- the Free City of Danzig which is sandwiched between East Germany and Poland on the Baltic Sea. During the war Danzig becomes part of the Nazi empire. The ongoing theme is the effect war has on ordinary people. It is not necessary to read all three books or to read them in sequence, though I recommend starting with "The Tin show more Drum". And, if you intend to read the entire trilogy, purchasing it in one complete volume would be advantageous.

What makes this trilogy unique is that it is not focused on war combat, or military stories. It is a tale of ordinary people, of rural villages with multi-generation families all living in a common household with old grandparents, parents, and young school age children going about their daily lives as best they can under the negative economic, political, and cultural circumstances.

"The Tin Drum" is a quirky story about a thirty-year-old dwarf who is mental patient accused of murder. He may appear to be mentally unstable, but he is very intelligent and continually contemplates philosophy, religion, mythology, and the supernatural. During World War II he travels through France and Belgium with a troupe of dwarfs entertaining the military. I first read "The Tin Drum" in 2011 and the full review can be found in my archives. I must say, it was the most unusual narrative I ever read and worthy of an individual rating of 4.5 Stars.

"Cat and Mouse" is a captivating character study of a young teen-aged boy- Joachim Mahlke. He is the envy of all his classmates: a leader, strong, independent thinker, a trend setter, always one step ahead of his peers. He never boasts and doesn’t seek approval, making his own rules and defying authority whenever it suits his purposes. While the war rages on, Joachim and his closest friends spend the summer diving off the coast of Brosen Beach to explore a sunken Polish mine sweeper for coveted battle souvenirs. Joachim and his classmates are required to enter the Hitler Youth Corps and eventually Joachim is drafted into the German army. This novella exemplifies the harsh reality of war and Gunter Grass offers the reader a stunning finale to this short tale. (individually rated 5 Stars)

"Dog Years" is the story of various young adolescents coming of age just in time to witness and participate in World War II. In German mythological superstition ‘Dog Years’ signifies a season of disasters and madness. And indeed, it was. This complex story explores the themes of anti-Semitism, the effect of political propaganda, and the dramatic changes in social and cultural behavior as the war progressed as told from the perspective of the young teens who are going about their mundane lives: school, sports, social events, rationing, watching adult males going off to war… most of them never to return. A concentration camp lies on the edge of town that local citizens do their best to ignore. The few soldiers who do return home are idolized and labeled as heroes. Of course, everything changes as the youth become teens and are forced to join Hitler’s Youth Group, and many enlist or are drafted by the time they become 17 years old.

Told in three parts, the final section of "Dog Years" takes place in post-war Germany. A new generation of children are questioning their parents about their moral values and personal involvement in the war – the guilt, the anger, the shame (in children and parents alike). The parents come to the realization that they were deluded, lied to, collaged into the most horrendous barbaric behavior ever witnessed on earth. Even if they were just at home minding their own business during the war, they were technically guilty by association. One of the primary characters becomes a manic vigilante trying to bring evil Nazi’s to justice.

"Dog Years" also includes themes of German mythology which alluded me, but did not detract from the overall plot. A side story involves Hitler’s favorite dog – which ties into the myths of German lore. Gunter Grass offers a little bit of everything; satire, humor, philosophy, and a disturbing ending with dire warnings that history always repeats itself. Dog Years may actually top "The Tin Drum"" in originality. (individually rated 4.5 Stars)

Gunter Grass won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1999. He grew up in Danzig and was drafted into the German army in 1944 at the age of 17 serving in the SS Panzer Division. He served one year before he was injured and captured by the Allies. The Danzig Trilogy" was completed in 1963.

Rated 4.5 Stars July 2019

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