The Seventh Cross, Anna Seghers (4)
I started this book a few years ago and had a hard time
getting into it. I’m glad I picked it up again. While it was a little hard to
get into the rhythm, once I did, it was worth the effort. It was written in
1942 by a German Jewish woman – which all seems pretty incredible. The tale is
of seven political prisoners who escape from a prison in Germany in 1938.
Besides being a compelling thriller of seven escapees from a German
concentration camp, what makes it unique is that it is set before the Jews were
in the camps – when Hitler and the Gestapo were first becoming powerful and
interning political prisoners. It really reflects the emotions of the German
people, those who supported the new government, those who didn’t and those who
were afraid to do anything. Not only is the reader unaware of the outcome of
the escapees, particularly the one the story follows closely, but also you
don’t know who wants to or is strong enough to help. Ms. Seghers brilliantly
portrays each citizen in the story as very realistic. Given the political
prisoners are not necessarily good people (do we trust the State? Do we really
know what to think?) would you be strong enough to help and stand up to the new
regime that seems a bit overzealous? Would you put your family in danger?
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