A remarkably prescient 1933 novel has resurfaced, warning us of the dangers of extremism and xenophobia. Sally Carson's Bavaria-set Crooked Cross has been re-published by Persephone Books, a specialist in reviving neglected works, and is gaining traction with readers who are drawn to its timely warnings about the rise of Nazism.
The novel follows the Kluger family as they navigate the changing landscape of pre-war Germany. From the joyful Christmas celebrations that open the book to the dark realization that Hitler's regime has come to power by midsummer, Carson masterfully captures the sense of unease and disorientation that pervades this period.
One of the most striking aspects of Crooked Cross is its immediacy. Written in a relatively short space of time, the novel conveys the fear and uncertainty that gripped Germany as it hurtled towards catastrophe. Through the Kluger family's experiences, Carson sheds light on the ways in which extremist ideologies can insinuate themselves into ordinary lives, often with devastating consequences.
The contrast between Carson's unflinching portrayal of Nazism's horrors and the more sanitized accounts of its rise given by writers like Janet Flanner is striking. While Flanner's profiles may have been impressive in their attention to detail, they lacked a long-range view of what was happening, and ultimately failed to grasp the gravity of the situation.
In contrast, Carson's work has an unshakeable moral core that sets it apart from some of its contemporaries. The novel is not just a record of historical events but also a deeply human exploration of how ordinary people are transformed by the ideologies that surround them.
The resonances between Crooked Cross and our present-day anxieties about extremism, xenophobia, and identity politics cannot be ignored. This remarkable novel reminds us of the importance of empathy, moral clarity, and a commitment to standing up against hate and intolerance in all its forms. As we navigate the complex challenges of our own time, Carson's work offers a powerful warning: that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, individuals have the power to resist, to challenge, and ultimately to overcome the forces that seek to divide us.
The novel follows the Kluger family as they navigate the changing landscape of pre-war Germany. From the joyful Christmas celebrations that open the book to the dark realization that Hitler's regime has come to power by midsummer, Carson masterfully captures the sense of unease and disorientation that pervades this period.
One of the most striking aspects of Crooked Cross is its immediacy. Written in a relatively short space of time, the novel conveys the fear and uncertainty that gripped Germany as it hurtled towards catastrophe. Through the Kluger family's experiences, Carson sheds light on the ways in which extremist ideologies can insinuate themselves into ordinary lives, often with devastating consequences.
The contrast between Carson's unflinching portrayal of Nazism's horrors and the more sanitized accounts of its rise given by writers like Janet Flanner is striking. While Flanner's profiles may have been impressive in their attention to detail, they lacked a long-range view of what was happening, and ultimately failed to grasp the gravity of the situation.
In contrast, Carson's work has an unshakeable moral core that sets it apart from some of its contemporaries. The novel is not just a record of historical events but also a deeply human exploration of how ordinary people are transformed by the ideologies that surround them.
The resonances between Crooked Cross and our present-day anxieties about extremism, xenophobia, and identity politics cannot be ignored. This remarkable novel reminds us of the importance of empathy, moral clarity, and a commitment to standing up against hate and intolerance in all its forms. As we navigate the complex challenges of our own time, Carson's work offers a powerful warning: that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, individuals have the power to resist, to challenge, and ultimately to overcome the forces that seek to divide us.
, I'm really glad this novel is getting some attention again! Interesting how it's still relevant today and serves as a warning about extremism and xenophobia. The way Carson writes about the Kluger family's experiences in pre-war Germany is so chilling and thought-provoking. It's crazy to think that this book was written back in 1933 but its message is just as important now 
like we're reliving history... but also kinda terrified that it could happen again 
anyone else ready for a collective anxiety attack? 
just read this and it hit me hard - how easily extremism can creep into our lives, starting with 'ordinary' people being swayed by ideology. Carson's writing is like a mirror, reflecting our own fears & anxieties back at us 
that we're not just rehashing the same mistakes, but can use this as a warning to do better 
. The way the author captures the sense of unease and disorientation in pre-war Germany feels super relatable to me right now. It's like, yeah, this is happening again... or maybe it always has 
. Has anyone else read this one? What are your thoughts?
anyway, the way this book shows how extremist ideologies can seep into everyday life is super relevant today, we gotta be careful not to let hate & intolerance take over, and i love that the author wrote from a place of empathy & moral clarity 
and carson is just over here like "nope hitler is a total monster" 
i'm definitely gonna check out this book now it sounds like it's really good 
i mean how else can you explain why we're re-reading books from the 1930s and finding them more prescient than ever? 
it's like Carson tapped into something fundamental about human nature that just hasn't changed much. and yeah, the contrast between this book and those of Janet Flanner is wild - one minute you're having a coffee with Hitler's wife and the next you're living in a fascist nightmare 
what's really scary is how our own anxieties are manifesting in similar ways... all I can say is i'm glad we have books like Crooked Cross to serve as a warning system 
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. The way she weaves together the Kluger family's story with the rising Nazi regime is so hauntingly familiar... it's giving me major chills thinking about how relevant this book is to our current climate of fear and intolerance 
.