The German Lesson by Siegfried Lenz
"The German Lesson" is a vivid exploration of the moral and cultural conflicts of World War II, set in a small German village. The story is narrated by a young boy who is tasked by his school teacher with an assignment to write an essay on "The Joys of Duty." As his father, a local police officer, is assigned the duty of preventing a popular local artist from painting, the boy finds himself torn between his father's rigid adherence to duty and his own growing appreciation for art and individual expression. The narrative grapples with themes of duty, obedience, and the power of art, providing a thoughtful examination of life under the Nazi regime.
The 1040th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1968
- Nationality
- German
- Length
- Moderate
- Pages
- 400-500
- Original Language
- German
- Avg User Rating
-
(4.0)
- Alternate Titles
- - Deutschstunde
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This book is on the following 5 lists:
- 31st on Big Read (German) (Germany)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher (Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher)
- "Our Readable Century", The Best Books of the 20th Century -- Honorable Mention ( January Magazine)
- The 100 Best Books in the World (AbeBooks.de (in German))