Primo Levi, If This is a Man, Trans. Stuart Woolf; Introduction, Frederic Raphael; Etchings by Jane Joseph, h/b, 7London, The Folio Society, 2000 (1947)
Of the vast number of documents and stories about the horrific German death camps of the Second World War, the sparing simplicity and matter of fact horror of Italian Primo Levi’s account must rank with the most important and certainly one of the earliest detailed accounts of the Jewish horror. Other survivors have spent much longer in the death camps whereas Levi was interred in Auschwitz in the final year of World War 11 and lived through both the horror and also the exit of the camp and the eventual Russian rescue. Nevertheless Levi has left us a stern and clear description, not avoiding the horror but relentlessly depicting the endless freezing grind, the viciousness of the treatment, the short lifespan of virtually all the inmates, and the various techniques used by each interred man to seek survival.
Levi was not a practising Jew and his outstanding knowledge of chemistry (top mark in the quantitative analysis examination at the Chemical Institute) resulted in his eventual selection to work in the Camp’s laboratories rather than continuing the heavy lifting work of most men working outside in freezing conditions over long days with minimal food and water.
The strengths of this Folio Society account include Levi’s Afterword: The Author’s Answers to his Reader’s Questions. These include why he has no expressions of hate for his German oppressors and no desire for revenge; Did the Germans themselves know what was happening; and Why were there no large-scale revolts? Levi provides extensive and thoughtful answers to these and other key questions which are particularly helpful. In addition the extensive introduction by Frederick Raphael is very useful and the remarkable and chilling etchings by Jane Joseph leave a lasting impression on the reader. As Frederick Raphael notes importantly, Hitler’s goal to destroy the Jews had nothing to do with the Second World War and it makes the existence of the events and the horror of the holocaust an experience beyond normal human comprehension.
Not many folk these days want to be reminded of the Holocaust and yet in an age of the Gaza and Ukraine wars perhaps it is the right time for this story to be told again and often.
Review of David Nicholls: One Day, p/b, London, Hodder & Stoughton, 2024 (2009)
David Nicholls has written a remarkable and hugely popular novel of modern Western life. University graduates Emma and Dexter are good friends who never quite make it together until their mid thirties. Along the way their lives take very different turns with Emma finally reaching her goal of becoming a successful writer and Dexter’s life swinging between wild success and uncomfortable defeat. There is a great deal of alcohol and sex with other partners in between and as reviewer Nick Hornby accurately writes in his review, the novel is brilliant on the details of the last couple of decades of British cultural and political life.
Just when the reader thinks the couple are sorting things out and they are both about to live happily ever after a major crisis occurs which this reviewer will not spoil. Nicholls writes with assurance, energy and flair and with what appears to be a complete knowledge of the London nightlife scene. The novel holds both characters firmly in the reader’s grasp and there is a sense in which you cannot put down the novel and must read on which I have not felt for a long time. The reader loves and hates both characters at various times and the reader also yearns for different outcomes.
There is more than a touch of the Thomas Hardy in this novel and indeed Hardy does get a mention at one point, but then so do many other authors. One Day simply forces the reader to go looking for books you haven’t read for a while or indeed have on your shelf but have never read! As with Hardy’s books the reader inevitably gets deeply involved in the lives of both Dexter and Emma and also finds oneself reconsidering some decisions in one’s own life. I can think of very few novels which chain the reader to the book and refuse to let him or her put it down. I myself got up at 4.00am in the morning to finish reading this story because the book belonged to someone else and I was required to return. I have never read a book that cost me so much sleep!
Why am I reviewing this book for a Christian magazine? I think I can honestly say that there is no better book for a clergy person or youth worker to read if they want to really come to grips with the pressures, desires, goals and lifestyle of the “average” young adult today. If, like me, you have been sheltered by a Christian upbringing, this book will shake your comfortable view of the world and force you to take seriously the true reality of the lifestyle of today’s 20’s to 35’s in Britain at least!
Herman Wouk: The Caine Mutiny: A Novel of World War 11, p/b, New York, Back Bay Books, 2002 (1951).
Pulitzer Prize winning author Herman Wouk wrote twelve novels, three plays and two works of non-fiction in his long life (died 2019, age 103). He received the Pulitzer Prize for the The Caine Mutiny. The story was in turn made into a popular movie in 1954, produced by Stanley Kramer and starring such luminaries as Henry Bogart, Fred MacMurray and Van Johnson. The Caine Mutiny is a large novel, the paperback version running to 537 pages of relatively small print.
The story thread line is based around reluctant World War 11 recruit Willie Keith and his on again off again night club singing girl friend Mae Wynn. After training Willie is signed up to the USS Caine, a repainted WW1 mine-sweeper that has seen much better days. Added to this challenge the new Captain aboard was Captain Queeg, a stickler for detail and precision, but with a tendency to be so wrapped up in small detail that the important events and necessary actions tended to be overlooked.
As a result and inevitably, relations between Captain Queeg and the rest of the crew deteriorated fairly quickly. Queeg made some serious errors of judgment in his leadership which made senior officers doubt his ability under pressure and at the same time Queeg spent an inordinate amount of time endeavouring to solve misdemeanours by crew members which were relatively insignificant and which were never finally solved at the time anyway.
The end result of this awkward leadership was that when a real disaster occurred, in this case a gale force typhoon, the Captain appeared to freeze under the pressure and was told by the Executive Officer Stephen Maryk to stand down. Captain Queeg did eventually and unwillingly stand down telling the leaders they would all be court-martialed. Under Maryk’s leadership the ship was saved and also was able to rescue sailors from another ship which had been destroyed in the typhoon.
The final section of the book covers the official court-martial trial of Executive Officer Stephen Maryk. This was a complex argument and makes for fascinating reading with a clever lawyer able to prevent Maryk from the disgrace of a court martial. The novel closes with the war over and Willie Keith still attempting to persuade Mae Wynn to marry him!
The Caine Mutiny is a powerfully written novel which maintains interest in spite of its length. Although fictional, the novel paints a powerful picture of the realities, challenges, fears and disasters of World War 11 sea warfare. Wouk’s knowledge of sea warfare is accurate and far-reaching. This novel has stood the test of time and still attracts interest. 5 stars.
Stephen McAlpine: Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World That Says You Shouldn’t, p/b, UK, The Good Book Company, 2023 (2021)
Stephen McAlpine has pastored a number of churches in Western Australia, blogs online regularly and has written two books on Christianity and culture including this one. In this book McAlpine analyses the trend in Australian and Western society media for Christians not just to be disregarded and generally ignored but more directly to be regarded with hostility. He takes his introductory cue from the 1993 film Falling Down, which stars Michael Douglas as William Foster, an average law-abiding guy who ends up unwittingly on the wrong side of the law.
McAlpine regards Christians in the West today as being in this very situation. Christianity, he argues, is no longer an option; it’s a problem! He notes that the number of those who reject the faith they held until their late teens has risen dramatically. In addition Christians can no longer assume a seat at the cultural table, that place having been given to others. McAlpine notes that we should not ignore society’s calling out of Christians. Our first question should be are they right to call us out? On the other hand Jesus himself predicted that in the last days Christians will be condemned as evil.
McAlpine notes that some key factors in this change include a global persecution of Christians across the world, the preferencing of LGBTQI rights over religious freedom, the removal of Christian education in some Australian States and the fact that Christians were not active in the defence of cruel treatment toward homosexuals in earlier years. McAlpine quotes Mark Sayers: Our progressive culture seeks “the kingdom without the king!” McAlpine also notes that the individual is now enthroned in this new kingdom instead of family relationships of obligation. (p20)
Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor calls this “the age of authenticity” and it is fast tracked by massive technological progress including instant digital technologies alongside an army of instagram influencers. New ideas are conceived, birthed and implemented at breathtaking speed. (p.22) Christian culture in the West has been eclipsed and attempts to be clever like the pub church and early missional leaders like Rob Bell have simply faded away. The result is that many were left feeling burnt out, seeing little return for their labours and church attendees in many places left for good. Individual autonomy and personal authenticity at any cost now provide the ultimate meaning in the self.
Of course the Bible has prepared us to expect hostility as Christians. In Australia we have had a relatively peaceful time but no longer! The Apostle Peter taught us that there is a right way to suffer. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith …may result in praise. (p.42) We must learn to expect cultural, legal and political pressure where only certain ideas are permitted. We need to learn that secularism is not neutral (p47) and that our culture now actively suppresses dissent. (p.55). McAlpine notes that it is not just Christians who are targeted, citing JK Rowling as an example. (p50).
On the other hand McAlpine argues that playing the victim narrative is a dangerous game for Christians. We have freedom to worship, gather in public spaces and run vast Christian institutions. If anything, McAlpine argues, the church gained power in the West and then abused it. (p,68) He asks the question: has the church been aligned to power too closely? (p.69). The answer seems to be ‘yes. He suggests we should admit the reality of our failures and we often failed to speak up for the voiceless, powerless minorities. (p71). We should expect persecution since we follow a crucified Messiah (p72)…our hope is not in winning a culture war. Our hope is the One who has defeated our true enemies…Satan, sin and death. We have so much to offer our uncertain and confused inheritors of this age with their lack of meaning and purpose, loss of identity and the risk of never being forgiven. (p75) We need to decide not to be afraid (p76) for as St Paul writes: My grace is sufficient for you. (p.75)
McAlpine argues that it is self-denial not self-fulfilment that is the path to life..our true life is about finding life after this life ends! (P81) Self-fulfilment by getting what we want now is the source of sin, Adam and Eve being the best examples! (p82) McAlpine suggests there is an absence of humble, godly churches, and that many harsh shepherds run the danger of being in love with this present age, quoting 2 Timothy 4:10. (p84) We must say no to both secular and sacred self-fulfilment. (p85) and Christians can mask their self-promotion as self-denial, (p86) McAlpine reminds us. He also suggests that Western culture is obsessed with sexuality because it has declared that our deepest truest most honest authentic self is discovered there but is it so? Living a life of self-denial is preferable and life-giving. (p90). Cancel culture can be overcome by forgiveness. (p91) McAlpine reminds us that there is actually no such as atheism or not worshipping; the only choice we get is what to worship! (p97) Expressive individualism says “You do you”! Christians must learn to do the opposite. (p99) McAlpine encourages us to commit to your church and fellowship; don’t keep looking for a better upgrade. (p100) Let everyday praise make its way into our everyday conversation. (p104). The church is a community of promised resurrection hope in a society terrified by death. (p105). We can serve a world that scorns and rejects us. (106) Preference God’s people; proclaim God’s praises; promote God’s promises.(p108).
McAlpine writes we are citizens of another country (p126). There is little to be said for an angry fist-shaking Christianity that creates a gated community. (p128) Many a life, many a family, has been destroyed by a futile search for the authentic self. (p135) We gather as citizens of another city to serve others. (p135) We are called to live in both cities..we must ensure our own “city” is in order.(p136)
This is a book to read and re-read, perhaps in a study group. I warmly commend it.
Nicholas Shakespeare: Secrets of the Sea:
Nicholas Shakespeare is a World renowned English biographer, historian, writer and Fellow of the Royal Society for Literature. He has written a major history of Tasmania and in addition has published this non-historical Tasmanian love story, Secrets of the Sea. It tells the story of the relationship and eventual marriage between young Tasmanian farmer Alex and newcomer from Sydney, Merridy. The setting is the fictional Tasmanian village of Wellington Point. The marriage struggles due to the couples’ inability to have a baby alongside the significant differences in their character and attitudes..Alex the dedicated hardworking farmer and Merridy caught between a quiet Tasmanian village and the good life of Sydney along with a University degree. This complex relationships produces plenty of challenges including the entry of a former criminal trying to make a new start.
Shakespeare keeps the reader guessing to the very end which is dramatic indeed. Our book club uniformly disliked this novel, finding the story unlikely and awkwardly written. I quite enjoyed reading the novel but it is fair to say that Shakespeare is a better biographer and historian than a novelist.