Oleg oder Die belagerte Stadt

by Jaap ter Haar, Jutta Knust (Translator), Theodor Knust (Translator)

Winter 1942: Leningrad ist von Soldaten eingeschlossen, und Oleg muss seiner kranken Mutter Essen besorgen.

Winter 1942: Leningrad ist von deutschen Truppen eingeschlossen. Die Bevölkerung der Stadt ist dem Hungertod nahe. Nur mit Mühen kann der 12-jährige Oleg seine kranke Mutter mit etwas Suppe versorgen. Zusammen mit seiner schon zu Tode erschöpften Freundin macht er sich auf den Weg zu einer Kartoffelmiete außerhalb der Stadt. Da sehen sich die Kinder unversehens von deutschen Soldaten umgeben...

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2013

About the author

Dutch historian and author of children's books and mythology.

After the second world war, Ter Haar became a war correspondent in Indonesia.

As a hobby he started writing childeren's story. Later he started producing radio drama's.

Reviews

[Derin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is set in 1942, during the harsh winter in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), which is under siege by German forces. The city is relentlessly bombarded, and its residents are suffering from severe hunger and disease. The protagonist, Oleg, is a 12-year-old boy living with his ill mother. Their life has become a daily struggle for survival, with even basic necessities like food being almost impossible to find.

Oleg learns of a possible source of food—a field outside the city where potatoes might still be harvested. Despite the extreme danger, he decides to venture out in search of these potatoes to save his mother. He is accompanied by his friend Nadya. Together, they navigate the treacherous path between Russian and German positions, hoping to reach the field and bring back some food.

However, their journey takes a perilous turn when they are surrounded by German soldiers. Throughout this ordeal, Oleg experiences firsthand the senselessness and inhumanity of war. He comes to understand that the true enemy is not necessarily the soldiers themselves, but the very concept of war, which strips away humanity and compassion.

The novel addresses several key themes, including the brutality of war, the resilience of the human spirit, and the innocence of childhood. It also explores ideas of courage, hope, and the absurdity of hatred. Oleg’s father’s words, “We must endure, Oleg. Everyone in Leningrad must endure. The courage we show will inspire others to be courageous,” encapsulate the book’s message of enduring hope in the face of overwhelming adversity.