Günter Grass’s first novel

[

]is one of the most powerful and enduring masterpieces of twentieth-century literature. Its audacious fusion of the individual, the historical, the mythical and the fantastical results in a rich, multi-layered narrative characterised by an exuberant use of language and dark, satirical humour.

is also one of the earliest works of post-war German literature to offer a searing indictment of the involvement of ordinary Germans in Hitler’s National Socialist regime and of their reluctance to address issues of guilt in the post-war era. The novel was published in 1959 to rapturous critical acclaim, but also generated significant controversy due to its apparent blasphemy and earthy eroticism. This divided response was…

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Citation: Hall, Katharina. "Die Blechtrommel: Roman". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 August 2004 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=5610, accessed 23 November 2024.]