This book is a collection of sketches about a stand-in for the author an a kangaroo. The kangaroo moves next door and calls himself a Communist. They This book is a collection of sketches about a stand-in for the author an a kangaroo. The kangaroo moves next door and calls himself a Communist. They develop an odd relationship in which Marc-Uwe basically pays for everything and the kangaroo pontificates, weasels and fights against the system, with little effect. The passive Marc-Uwe seems to enjoy the symbiotic friendship that allows him to step out and trespass. Some funny situations ensue. One suspects the Kangaroo is a sort of alter-ego but let's not get carried away. Most situations are quite silly and a few can be funny. I particularly enjoyed a sketch in which the kangaroo has to have its pouch scanned at the airport and a couple of others. After a while, the mischief pursued by the high energy, Hegel quoting, jingoist punching kangaroo and the lethargic, somewhat idiotic and good natured Marc gets a bit repetitive. This is the kind of book people ages 14-18 might enjoy for its irreverence and sense of rebellion.I read it to keep up with current German use but wouldn't pay too much attention to it except as scripted material fro shorts or animation. ...more
This book tells the story of a group of young people living in a street next to the "Todestraffe" or "no mam's land" between East and West Germany du This book tells the story of a group of young people living in a street next to the "Todestraffe" or "no mam's land" between East and West Germany during the times of the DDR. Most of the narration centres about young Michael ,"Mischa" ,and his family. It is also a love story. While the premise put me off slightly, the book turned out to be quite humorous and sweet, relegating the most unsavoury aspects of life in a Communist state to the areas of ridicule and background threat. I was pleasantly surprised by the loving portrait of the characters as well as by the tight narrative structure. The language is uncomplicated even when it sometimes goes into slang. Notable things I learnt: The relationship East Germans had to cars, telephones and western music. (one of the characters love for the Rolling Stones makes for a lot of memorable moments) The traffic and contraband between east and West Berlin and its many pitfalls. The replacement of religious ideals for Communist ones which prompted an effort to be seen as a "good" communist and a source of unintended satire. (Like when a school Chess contest poster is switched to display a pawn instead of a king or when Micha's mom stuffs her mailbox wit the party newspaper so that anyone can see how devoted she is). The weight of Russia's meddling. The suspicions of neighbours about who belonged to the Stasi. etc.. ...more
This book has some good qualities. It follows the experience of one Ida Trubman as she checks herself in a psychiatric clinic due to her inability to This book has some good qualities. It follows the experience of one Ida Trubman as she checks herself in a psychiatric clinic due to her inability to function as a normal human being. She has been diagnosed somewhat vaguely with depression.
The fist thing that will jump out at the reader in the U.S. is how marvelous the German health system is that would allow for eight or more weeks of therapy for depression at a clinic at apparently no cost. The author complains a lot about the wait and formalities but any American suffering with this condition would find the complaints ludicrous.
The character of Ida is quite unlikable. Her disease allows her to ignore normal social conventions while at the same time she expects , no, demands that these conventions be used with her. The mere suggestion that she uses her depression as a convenient excuse to be left alone sends her in such a fit one suspects the therapy might be working but not as the magic pill she seems to expect. In many ways, Ida being relatively young, it is hard to distinguish if what she has is true depression or a mere existential dissatisfaction.
Her language is rhythmic, she goes on rants and recites lists of the symptoms of her unease with the gusto of a slam poet. The description of symptoms, the avalanche of words with which she enjoys burying her doctors -once prodded- is probably one of the merits of the book, it seems realistic and many will find empathy with its detail. On the other hand, it feels that she is on a self-pity race to the bottom, trying to outdo everyone in the ward. She uses sarcasm and irony but she can't really handle when it's turned on her . She seems very uncomfortable not being considered unique or worthy of total dedication and likes to compare regular life with TV commercials and find real life lacking. Whether this is a real depression I'll leave to the experts.
There are a few twists in the plot that keep the interest going. This is no great piece of literature but it feels real enough even thought it describes a somewhat narrow and hopeless situation. I found the relationship of Ida with her parents hard to fathom. Again, the American reader will find it strange that the parents of Ida would put up with her dependency on them paired with her complete disregard and diminishing of their emotions.
So, do I recommend this book? I can't say I do. I appreciate someone talking about depression, a disease that is as serious as misunderstood and as multifaceted as the individuals that suffer under its thumb. I fear people reading it, especially young people, might confuse apathy or loneliness with depression and find Ida alluring enough to use her as a role model of sorts. But may be it's a good thing someone is talking. ...more
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