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After Midnight

By Irmgard Keun
Series: Penguin Modern Classics
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3.89 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Set in pre-World War II Germany, After Midnight follows the story of Sanna, a young woman navigating the oppressive atmosphere of Nazi society. Through a series of vivid and sharp observations, the narrative captures the tension, fear, and absurdities of daily life under the regime. Keun masterfully portrays the impact of political terror on ordinary citizens, illuminating themes of love, freedom, and survival amidst growing authoritarianism.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2400
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy stories with a mix of wit and poignancy, offering a vivid portrayal of life in 1930s Germany under a repressive regime. The narrative captures a complex blend of resilience and contemplation, painting a picture of a society's challenges through engaging and richly developed characters.

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After Midnight

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Depicting a young woman's life in Nazi Germany, this is the masterpiece from the author of Child of All Nations.

Nineteen-year-old Sanna just wants to drink her beer in peace, but that's difficult when Hitler has come to town and his motorcade is blocking the streets of Frankfurt.

What's more, her best friend Gerti is in love with a Jewish boy, her brother writes books that have been blacklisted and her own aunt may denounce her to the authorities at any moment, as Germany teeters on the edge of the abyss.

Written after she had fled the Nazi regime, Irmgard Keun's masterly novel captures the feverish hysteria and horror of the era with devastating perceptiveness and humour.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The book is praised for its powerful portrayal of a nation descending into madness, offering a sharp and youthful perspective. It's noted for its crystalline yet biting observations, providing an explosive and daring narrative that feels both sexually and politically frank. The story is described as haunting and impactful, resonating long after it ends.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241391822

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 April 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Anthea Bell
  • Translated by Anthea Bell

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 112g

Pages: 144

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Irmgard Keun Literary Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Series: Penguin Modern Classics

About the Author

Irmgard Keun was born in Berlin in 1905 and found instant success with her novels Gilgi (1931) and The Artificial Silk Girl (1932). Everything changed in 1933 when the Nazis blacklisted her and destroyed her books; in response, she attempted to sue the Gestapo for loss of earnings. She left Germany (and her husband) in 1936 and lived in exile in Europe, where she wrote Child of All Nations (1936) and After Midnight (1937). She sneaked back into Germany in 1940 under a false name and spent the rest of the war in Cologne. In later years, she wrote for magazines and radio and raised a daughter alone. She died in 1982.

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