Play Book Tag discussion

The Tin Drum by Günter Grass - 3 stars - My Review

As the story opens, we find thirty-year-old Oskar Matzerath in a mental institution. He proceeds to tell the story of his life. It is set in Danzig (Gdańsk) from 1899, when his grandparents meet, to 1954. Oskar, at age three, is given a toy drum for his birthday, and decides to quit growing. What follows is a bizarre combination of the history of Germany and Poland, satire, and absurd fable.

Oskar summarizes the plot: "Born beneath light bulbs, interrupted my growth at the age of three, was given a drum, sangshattered glass, smelled vanilla, coughed in churches,… watched ants as they crawled, decided to grow, buried the drum,… learned to carve stone and posed as a model, went back to my drum and inspected concrete, made money and cared for the finger, gave the finger away and fled as I laughed, ascended, arrested, convicted, confined, now soon to be freed."

Oskar is an unreliable narrator, frequently shifting between first and third person. There is a great deal of symbolism in this book, and I am quite sure I did not “get” all of it. I spent a good amount of brain power trying to relate portions of it to WWII history. This task was only partially successful, and I found that it took more effort than it was worth. I know this is considered a 20th century classic, and I am glad I read it, but cannot say I found much pleasure in the process.

I read the 50th Anniversary English translation. The Afterword by translator Breon Mitchell is worth reading. He and other translators interacted with the author to gain insight into his intent. I could feel the rhythm, intended to simulate Oskar’s drumming, in the narrative.

I know people love this book. I did not finish it. I had just a short bit left and decided I did not care.

It was long, long ago and Oskar repulsed me.

Yes, I know what you mean. Oskar is pretty despicable. I put this on a list of 16 books to definitely read this year. Otherwise, it would have languished for a very long time. I don't blame you for not finishing.

I was surprised to see this pop up on PBT because I read it years ago and I don't remember why - or what tipped me off to it. I didn't realize it was considered a classic.

I don't remember much details except the boy being bullied and forced to drink a strange concoction of rocks and pee (?) and a somnambulist ... which was the first time I had ever seen the word. Still not sure what the hell that girl did, fall asleep a lot?

This would have been a time when I thought I had to finish anything I started, but I am not sure that would be the case if I was reading it for the first time today!

Meli wrote: "I was surprised to see this pop up on PBT because I read it years ago and I don't remember why - or what tipped me off to it. I didn't realize it was considered a classic.

I don't remember much d..."

I like reading the classics, but sometimes I don't enjoy them as much as "admire" them. In this case there were lots of metaphors for WWII, such as Oskar having 2 fathers (one Polish and one German), and being able to shatter glass with his voice (kristallnacht). The defense of the Post Office represents Germany invading Poland. So, the first half made a lot of sense but it got tiring as it got toward the end.

I think the book as a whole is supposed to represent the passive response of many Germans to the rise of Naziism.

somnambulism=sleep walking

I thought it was brilliant but parts of it were over my head.

Yes, I often see brilliance in the author's craft, but I always rate based on my personal enjoyment.

Joy D wrote: "Meli wrote: "I was surprised to see this pop up on PBT because I read it years ago and I don't remember why - or what tipped me off to it. I didn't realize it was considered a classic.

I don't re..."

Um, there is no way I was getting any of that at the time!
I wish I did... we'll put this on the end of a very long, maybe-want-to-re-read-someday list :)