The novel tells the story of Oskar Matzerath, a boy who decides on his third birthday that he will stop growing and remain a three-year-old forever. Oskar is gifted with a tin drum by his mother, which he uses to express his emotions and thoughts. Living in Danzig during the rise of Nazi Germany, Oskar's refusal to grow is a form of protest against the adult world. The book is a blend of magical realism and historical fiction, providing a unique perspective on the horrors of World War II and the post-war era in Germany.

"The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui" is a satirical play that uses the rise of a fictional 1930s Chicago mobster, Arturo Ui, to parallel the rise of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany. The narrative is a critique of those who allowed Hitler to come to power, emphasizing that his rise was indeed resistible. The play explores themes of power, corruption, manipulation, and the dangers of complacency, showcasing the destructive potential of unchecked ambition and the failure of society to prevent the ascent of dangerous individuals.

"The Loyal Subject" is a satirical novel set in Germany during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II. It follows the life of a petty bureaucrat who is obsessively devoted to the Kaiser and the state, despite the fact that his loyalty is constantly abused. His blind obedience and the absurdity of the system are used to critique the militarism and authoritarianism of the period. The story is a powerful indictment of the dangers of unchecked nationalism and the dehumanization that can result from excessive obedience to authority.