Timur Vermes

I'm in two minds about this book. It's a clever idea, imagining that Hitler returns to modern-day Germany, and against the odds, becomes a YouTube sensation. His ideas are just the same as they ever were, but somehow, and disquietingly, we can agree with some of them - his dislike of globalisation, for instance.

However, I unsurprisingly found the modern-day Hitler a less than sympathetic character, and I was never eager to pick up the book again to read on. The ending however, was unsettling because .... oh no, I mustn't be guilty of a spoiler alert.… (more)

Is it morally acceptable to feature Hitler as the rather likeable protagonist of a comic novel? Is it in good taste to turn a mass murderer into a figure of fun? These questions naturally come to mind when faced with Timur Vermes's first novel. The premise is simple - Hitler inexplicably wakes up in modern day Berlin and, mistaken for an uncannily brilliant method actor, lands a programme on national tv. Much of the resulting humour is, predictably, based on the reverse anachronisms raised by the Rip-van-Winkle situation. Hitler is astounded by the technological advances such as the "mouse device", the "internetwork" and the "Vikipedia", which he believes is named after the "intrepid explorer Teutons of old". He is flummoxed by the sight of "madwomen" walking their dogs and cleaning up after them,cannot understand why his goth scretary does not wear wholesome, colourful clothing and is impressed that Herr Starbuck has apparently taken over all the coffee houses in Berlin.

Vermes makes the most out of these scenes, but he is most incisive when he uses his character to satirize modern-day society, politics and media. On the whole, an entertaining and occasionally thought-provoking read. What is pleasantly surprising is that although the humour is probably quite culture and language-specific, the English translation is zesty, flowing and idiomatic. Kudos to Jamie Bulloch for this.… (more)