The Willow Wren - A Novel

Philipp Schott

Summary

The touching and nuanced portrait of the rise and fall of Nazi Germany through the eyes of a resourceful German boy.
		 
Ludwig is an odd and introverted child, growing up in Hitler’s Germany. While Ludwig’s father, Wilhelm, is a senior Nazi and a true believer, Ludwig escapes the unfolding catastrophe by withdrawing into nature and books. Eventually, when the Allied bombing campaign intensifies, Ludwig is sent to a Hitler Youth camp, where his oddness makes him a target for bullying.
		 
As the war turns against Germany, the Hitler Youth camp becomes ever more severe and militaristic, and the atmosphere spirals towards chaos. After the Nazis abandon the camp, Ludwig returns home, and his father is presumed dead. With Ludwig’s mother descending into depression, the 11-year-old bears increasing responsibility for the survival of the family as starvation sets in under Russian occupation. Soon, it will be impossible to leave the Russian zone, so Ludwig decides that he must rally his despondent mother and lead her and his three younger siblings in an escape attempt to the west.
		 
Based on a true story, The Willow Wren is a unique, touching exploration of extremism, resilience, and the triumph of the small.

Available since: 03/23/2021.

2 Comments

24symbols EN

A WWII novel told from a very intimate perspective. The author himself states that this book is a memory of memories, a fictional account of his father’s life embellished with the writer’s imagination and power of observation.

Told in hindsight by the author’s father Ludwig, THE WILLOW WREN describes the rise and fall of the Third Reich. Ludwig was only ten at the peak of the war and thus his perception is often quite naïve. However, this is what makes the narrative stand out, especially as Ludwig adds his grown-up point of view to his childhood memories. Son of a senior Nazi, Ludwig does not care for the war and seeks refuge in books and nature. While this makes him an outsider during his time at the Hitler Youth, his knowledge comes in handy later on.

Through Ludwig’s memories we learn about life in Germany during the years before, during and after WWII. But above all, this is a book about how war affects individual citizens and about a small boy who has to grow up from one day to another in order to protect his family. Discover more book recommendations on https://www.24symbols.com/24stories/en/the-best-books-of-the-moment/
24symbols EN

This book was featured as one of the best books of the moment. Have a look at our Magazine to discover our best books of the moment, a handpicked and periodically updated selection of the books you simply cannot miss: https://www.24symbols.com/24stories/en/the-best-books-of-the-moment/

About the author

Philipp Schott

Bestselling author of The Accidental Veterinarian, Philipp Schott was born in Germany but grew up in Saskatoon. He now lives in Winnipeg where he practises veterinary medicine, writes, and shares...

Other books that might interest you

Conversations with Isaiah Berlin

Ramin Jahanbegloo

An illuminating and witty dialogue with one of the greatest intellectual figures of the twentieth century. Ramin Jahanbegloo's interview with Isaiah Berlin grew into a series of five conversations which offer an intimate view of Berlin and his ideas. They include discussions on pluralism and liberty as well as the thinkers and writers who influenced Berlin. This revised edition provided an excellent introduction to Berlin's thought. Ramin Jahanbegloo is an Iranian philosopher, who has taught in Europe and North America. In 2006 he was imprisoned for several months in Iran. He is currently teaching Political Philosophy at Toronto University. 'Though like Our Lord and Socrates he does not publish much, he thinks and says a great deal and has had an enormous influence on our times'. Maurice Bowra 'Berlin never talks down to the interviewer. Conversations here means the minds of the interviewed and interviewer meet on equal terms in language that is transparently clear, informed, witty and entertaining'. Stephen Spender 'He is wise without seeming pompous, witty without seeming trivial, affectionate without seeming sentimental'. Michael Ignatieff 'Isaiah Berlin... has for fifty years in this talkative and quarrelsome city (Oxford) been something special, admired by all and disliked by no-one... a benevolent super-don'. John Bayley http://berlin.wolf.ox.ac.uk/

Show book