We have been acquinted with this war through the views of the Allies. We seldom heard how the Germans fared.
Only recently, the Germans themselves made films and series about this war, like Das Boot and Unsere Mutter, Unsere Väter. And now there is auf Wiedersehen.
auf Wiedersehen (which means goodbye, see you later) is the compelling story of young Christa, who lives with her mother and sick sister in dire circumstances. Somtimes the tears come into your eyes when you read how she has to go through every day life. For instance, there is a scene where she befriends one of the workhorses, and some time later the boss of the plant treats his workers to sausages from horse flesh...
Here's a short excerpt:
“But when will we come back?” my sister asked, an edge of desperation in her voice.
Mutti stopped in the open doorway, turned around, and as if to avoid the question, she pointed to the distant wall. “Look Kinder,” she whispered.
A shaft of sun had found its way through the ice-laced window, spilling its silvery light on the painting above the couch, illuminating the wake on a river flowing still.
Sadness crept into my heart, as my eyes returned to my mother – so tall, so graceful, her ash-blond hair knotted in a bun at the nape of her neck. A tear rolled down her high cheekbone. She wiped it away with her fingertips; then closed the door with a decisive click.
The book is for sale from Rogue Phoenix Press and from online booksellers.
