Review of Christopher and His Kind (2011) by Robert C — 13 Dec 2011

In interesting look into the life of Christopher Isherwood while he was living in Berlin just prior to and during the Nazi take over.

One tends to forget just how progessive and free spirited (Pre-Hilter) Berlin was. To watch (from the inside) while the city slowly falls to Hitler and to feel the pain of the people (families and friends) that were torn apart is heartbreaking.

There is a very telling scene between Christopher and the landlandy of the building he lives in. She is puzzled by why he wants to leave Berlin and when he explains that it is because of Hilter and the Nazi's. Her response is to give him a run down of several of the past regimes and basically says "Why would I leave? This is my home...you can get used to anything." Which (sadly) is the mentality that allowed Hiltler to get such a solid hold on Germany.

But as frightening as it is to watch the Nazi's slowly permeate the entire country...you can not help but feel sick by the fact that the initial horrors of Nazi takeover are a mere slap in the face compared to the soul wrenching attrocities that were to follow.

Though not exactly upbeat...you have to admire Isherwood for "a life well lived" and for sharing it all in his writing, for future generations to appreciate. learn from and especially to feel less alone.