The Stories of Heinrich Böll {40 stories}

I'm only half through these collections of stories, but I'm already stunned, hurt for words. I never, not until this year, wondered what people would have to write about or think about in Germany following WWII. Heinrich Boll was a German soldier in WWII, and I presume these stories are based in parts on what he experienced. Mainly they deal with a sense of confusion, nostalgia and various forms of escapism during the war and the economic devastation that followed in Germany. Though you know Germans were the "bad guys" these stories are powerful and sometimes harrowing, and you find it hard not to feel for the characters, and be glad you're not in their shoes.

*Might add: there's certainly no sympathy for the Reich coming from this ex-soldier. When the NSPD is mentioned, usually the characters seem incapable and helpless to understand or describe why they're in war. ( )