Lenz Belgeleri

by Stefan Heym, Betül Çelik (Translator)

1849 baharı; Almanya’nın Baden eyaleti. Liberal, sosyalist ve milliyetçi fikirlerin bir arada olduğu, canlanan ekonomi ve ticaretin krallığın sınırlarını ve kanunlarını zorladığı bir devir. En temel haklarından yoksun bırakılmış, yoksullukla yüz yüze bir halk... Bir devrim için en uygun ortam… Ve bu ortamda patlayan devrim.

Stefan Heym, türünün en önemli örneklerinden biri olan bu tarihî romanda Mayıs 1849’da patlayan Baden Devrimi’nde rol almış gerçek kişileri kurgu karakterlerle bir araya getiriyor. Devrimci politikacılar Gustav-Amalia Struve çifti, General Franz Sigel, demokrat gazeteci Amand Goegg, liberal politikacı Lorenz Brentano, I. Enternasyonal’in kurucularından J.P. Becker birer roman karakterine dönüşüyor.

Kısa süre önce kaleme aldıkları Komünist Manifesto’da devrim çağrıları yapan Marx ve Engels de romana dahil oluyorlar, kuşkuyla yaklaştıkları Baden Devrimi’ni diğer roman kahramanlarıyla birlikte masaya yatırıyorlar.

Lenz Belgeleri, okura bir devrim laboratuvarına girme olanağı sunuyor. Stefan Heym, sonunu bilsek de başka türlü olmasını umduğumuz, başka türlü olabileceğini de gördüğümüz bu kısa dönemi, ozan Andreas Lenz’in gözünden anlatarak, bir anlamda devrimin şiirini de yazıyor.

800 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[None Ofyourbusiness Loves Israel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The revolutions of 1848 form the tumultuous backdrop of this magnificent tome, set in the fortress city of Rastatt in Baden, where Andreas Lenz, a poet and soldier, becomes deeply involved in the revolutionary fervor. Alongside him are characters such as Josepha, a striking beauty, and Lenore, the intellectual daughter of a banker, who is willing to forsake her privileged life for love. The story captures the initial hope and enthusiasm of the revolutionaries as they strive for a coup d'état, only to face the harsh realities of disunity, inexperience, and insufficient resources. As Heym writes, "The seed of revolution flowered to a triumphant coup d'état: faltering under inexperience, disunited leadership and shortage of funds; dying out miserably and pathetically in the heartbreak of unstemmed Prussian reaction".

As the revolution progresses, the characters experience the highs and lows of their struggle. Lenz, through his poetic and soldierly lens, witnesses the revolution's fleeting triumphs and its ultimate downfall. The narrative explores the personal sacrifices and the collective disillusionment that accompany the revolutionary cause. The revolutionaries' dreams are gradually crushed by the relentless advance of Prussian forces, leading to a poignant reflection on the nature of struggle and change. On the eve of this collapse, Lenz finds new courage in the thought that, "When all is said and done, what remains of the struggle? The changes it brought for better or worse -- whichever -- they melt into the great design of human development".

With notable cameos by illustrious historical figures such as Marx and Engles, The Lenz Papers offers a panoramic view of a pivotal moment in European history, blending romance with historical fact. Heym's portrayal of the revolution's rise and fall serves as a meditation on the broader currents of human development and the enduring quest for justice and freedom. The novel's rich array of characters and events underscores the complexity and tragedy of revolutionary movements. As Heym reflects, "It is the great design which extends back to Valley Forge, gathers momentum in the storming of the Bastille, alights briefly on the Grand Duchy in Gettysburg, mans the barricades of the French Commune and finds ultimate expression in the revolutions of the twentieth century".