Customer Reviews

The Stories of Heinrich Boll (European Classics)

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A fantastic collection. Boll shows a beautiful touch in presenting the horror of WWII and its aftermath. The story "Stranger bear word to the Spartans..." alone is worth the cover price, and it's only 5 of the 400+ pages. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. It will introduce you to one of the finest writers of the 20th century.

This book is an excellent introduction to Heinrich Boll's writing. It contains many excellent short stories, some of which reveal a delightfully humorous side of Boll, and several novellas, including 'The Train was on Time' and 'A Soldier's Legacy'. If you buy just one book by Heinrich Boll, make it this one. You will be well rewarded by the rich and varied collection found within.

How many author could possibly deliver poignant stories within handful of pages as Heinrich Boll repeatedly did? There have been only few and unfortunately there isn't any left now. This book is the compilation of most notable stories written by him such as "Children are civilians too" whose accutely realistic backgrond is strangely surreal as well as "And where were you , Adam?" one of the most powerful novellas come out of the war;In which,the chapter that describes the death of Ilona delivered such a powerful blow that it almost gives a narcotic effect on me. What I particulary admire about Heinrich Boll is his sympathetic look on so-called "Kleine Mann" (little man). Most of protagonists/narrators of his stories are no other than ordinary Landsers ( ordinary Wehrmacht soldiers like Boll himself),refugees, and civilians whose destiny and often tragic deaths are not consequence of thier acts but played by ones beyond their comprehension . Boll never tried to delve into searching for the causality of the war and it's tragic outcomes. The futile efforts that makes a writer neglect the sufferings of ordinary people.
With superb translation, the book will grip anyone's attention and shows the mastery of Boll's story telling.
Highly recommended if you can find the book

What an amazing collection of short stories. Heinrich Boll gives a revealing look into WWII from a German soldier's point of view. Heinrich Boll was a German soldier. Heinrich Boll tells a great story. He is a human being. He grew up and was who he was and now he leaves behind stories. My personal favorites are: 'Parting', 'At the Bridge', 'In the Darkness', 'Stranger, Bear Word to the Spartans We..', and 'A Soldier's Legacy'.