The Inventory

by Gila Lustiger

A sweeping novel of life during the Nazi regime probes every segment of German society during the Nazi period as it explores the devastating impact of persecution on society, from a young student tortured by the Gestapo because of a vague association with the Young Socialist Workers to a famed opera singer beaten for suspicion of homosexuality.

Genres: Germany, Politics, History, War

294 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Cooper Renner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful book in many ways, but I also did a fair amount of skimming/skipping in the final third. The book could be shorter. What is strongest to me is the first half or so, dealing with the earlier effects of Nazism prior to the war and the “final solution”, especially as it concerns other “undesirable” groups and not Jews alone.

[Gail Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the easiest book to read - due to the format and subject matter. I needed to read it all, though.
I've read several WWII Holocaust books, but this one was disturbing because it covered so many individuals - from both sides of the issue. Too many similarities to today's world and how people are being treated.

[Patrick Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I just didn't get it, but most of the stories made no sense!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written novel about Germans in WWII and how living under Hitler affected them. It reads like a series of vignettes, with many intersections between the various lives.