On February 24, 1920, two babies are born in Berlin who are destined to become brothers. On the same day, the National Socialist Party is founded in Munich.
Paul and Otto are inseparable and both resemble their Jewish parents, although they are not at all similar to each other. They have no idea that one of them is an adopted child - and what's more, not a Jew. Their father plays in jazz clubs, their mother treats the sick, life in Germany, barely recovering from the Great War, is slowly getting better. The brothers grow up together, are friends with one girl together, fall in love with another together. But when the Nazis come to power, life changes irreversibly and terribly: in a nightmare country, blood and origin suddenly become the most important things.
Ben Elton, a British writer, director, screenwriter of the sitcom Blackadder and creator of the musical We Will Rock You, has written a poignant and honest novel based on the story of his family. As in life, there is laughter and tears, tenderness and anger, loyalty and betrayal. This is a story about what people are ready to sacrifice for the sake of survival - their own and those they love. What they do with everyday hatred, with persistent memory, with unceasing pain - and how from all this sometimes loneliness, fear and cruelty grow, and sometimes - kindness, wisdom and happiness.
Author: Ben Elton
Translation: Safronov Alexander
Year of issue: 2023
Publisher: Phantom Press
Pages: 512
Cover type: Hardcover
Dimensions: 220x145x19 mm
ISBN: 978-5-86471-675-5