Friday

Book review: Look Who's Back

Look Who's Back - Timur Vermes

Let's discuss the elephant in the room here. Yes, that's Adolf Hitler on the cover. My brother recommended Look Who's Back as he knows I'm interested in both World War 2 history and satire. The plot of this satirical novel involves Hitler waking up in a field in 2011, with a terrible headache and no sign of his supporters. As he realises that modern German is far from his ideal, he sets out to right the wrongs of his beloved fatherland and to continue his unfinished business. Mistaken for a highly accurate comedy impersonator who is always in character, he experiences a meteoric rise to fame through the use of social media and gossip magazines. 

I was so excited to read this book. It had so many glowing reviews and I was expecting a lot of dry humour and clever historical references. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. It wasn't bad, by any means, and I'm not easily offended; I didn't find it tasteless or insulting at all. It just felt very anti-climactic. 

It's not a laugh-a-minute book, and I appreciated that. I'm far more a fan of subtle comedy than slap-you-round-the-face-laugh-you-idiots comedy (which is why I don't like Lee Evans at all!). There were moments that made me scoff at the intelligence of the wit. Most of this came from the frequent use of dramatic irony. An example that stands out is when Hitler reminisces over his favourite guns, and can't understand why the thought of a PPK pistol makes his head hurt so much. 

However, there was a lot of information on Hitler's career in politics. Although this was necessary to the storyline, and I totally understand why the author included it, I found it dry and frustrating. I already know the history of Nazi Germany, and I chose this book based on the concept: Hitler's life in 2011 was the draw for me, not political history that can be found in any textbook. Like I said, I understand why the author included it but I feel that perhaps the balance was a little out.

For me, the ending of a book is always make or break. This was one of the least final endings I have experienced. I literally said aloud "Oh! Is that it?". There was no grand finale. No feeling of closure. It was just like the ending of any other sentence in the book and I found this very disappointing.

All in all, although I loved the concept, I just didn't find that the book lived up to my expectations. Perhaps it would have been better if I had read the original German edition, but, as I can't read German too well, that will have to wait for another time. 

10 comments :

  1. Interesting that this is originally a German book, we Germans are still wary about approaching anything to do with Hitler with any kind of humour (even if we don't supposedly have any!). If you like this 'what if' timeline I really recommend Fatherland by Robert Harris!

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    1. It's interesting that you say that- I did wonder about the German attitudes to books of this nature. Thank you so much for the recommendation! I'll check it out!

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  2. This sounds like an interesting idea that just wasn't executed very well.
    Hayley
    Water Painted Dreams xo

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    1. I think that's the trouble, but maybe it just wasn't translated well.

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  3. That's a shame. I would have liked to have read this book. Maybe I still will, the subject interests me

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    1. I still recommend it. You might enjoy it!

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  4. I loved the book and had no problems with the history background at all, maybe because German pupils are spammed with WW II in history classes. For me, it had exactly the right undertone. Perhaps, in English this hadn't been the case, I only read the original edition...

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    1. This is what I'm wondering. Maybe it just wasn't translated well. I wish I could read German so I could read the original!

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