The Nazi and The Barber

An encompassing, well-written, and powerful story with vivid and vile characters! Yes, the story and characters are offensive, but The Holocaust was an evil and depraved occurrence perpetrated by brutish, ignorant, and immoral racists. Writing an unforgettable novel from the evildoer's point of view, author and survivor Hilsenrath succeeds in portraying their sickening mindset, re-examines the issue of individual and collective culpability, yet ultimately reiterates the triumph of Holocaust survivors and the victory of The Jewish people create the Jewish state of Israel.

This novel is unlike any other I’ve read in Holocaust literature. Its author, a German Jewish survivor, shares the witty, filthy, unreliable tale of a perpetrator and barber, from his ignominious upbringing to an SS mass murderer, and then from a new identity as his Jewish childhood best friend to fighting for Israeli independence. Powerful, unforgettable, and not for the weak of stomach.

I know the title will upset some people. And the subject will upset some others. I remember buying it 30 years ago at a yard sale. It took me forever to read. After I read it I donated it to a library sale or thrift store. I feel certain that because of PC attitudes that it was not sold but tossed. But the book wasn't what I thought it was. At the end my head was spinning. The philosophical issues the author brings up are deep indeed. Since I gave the book away I had to buy it again. I just can't get his writing out of my mind. And that, I think, is a sign of a great author. I do see the world differently because of his book.

I did not like this book. I would never ordered this book if I had any idea of the language used. I usually pass on my books when I have finished with them, this book will be trashed.

Such a great pantagruelic story. I enjoyed it since the page one.

Great book

Any stars would be rather misleading. I can't say I liked this book at ALL. And yet.The protagonist, Max Schulz, the later mass-murderer, tortures rats as a child. This was almost sufficient for me to trash the book, but no details were given and thankfully nothing more was said about it. Unsurprisingly, he grows up pretty much amoral, and I found the entire book mildly offensive.And then, asking one of the most important questions ever, it managed to redeem itself in the last couple of pages, so much so that I will probably never forget it.

I believe this book is considered a masterpiece in Europe. The Nazi and the Barber is a different take on the Holocaust and as such can be deemed highly controversial. This is deep satire that deals with difficult material. The novel is full of grotesque characters and often relies on black humor to make its points. There is a suggestion of the Brothers Grimm in the story telling and the transitions are almost unthinkably brilliant. Hilsenrath is a major stylist and this is a highly readable translation.The author is certainly worthy of a Nobel prize for his body of work.