Lee Thomas's (The Dust of Wonderland) is set during the height of World War II. The German examines the effect a series of ritualistic murders has on a small, Texas community. A killer preys on the young men of Barnard, Texas, leaving cryptic notes written in German. As the panic builds all eyes turn toward a quiet man with secrets of his own, who is trying to escape a violent past.
Ernst Lang fled Germany in 1934. Once a brute, a soldier, a leader of the Nazi party, he has renounced aggression and embraces a peaceful obscurity. But Lang is haunted by an impossible past. He remembers his own execution and the extremes of sex and violence that led to it. He remembers the men he led into battle, the men he seduced, and the men who betrayed him. But are these the memories of a man given a second life, or the delusions of a lunatic?
Review
The German by Lee Thomas is an all too human horror story. It takes place in a seemingly tranquil Texas town called Barnard. The year is 1944. World War II is at its zenith. Allied troops sweep across Europe. American men who are of age are abroad fighting “the good fight” against the likes of Hitler, Hirohito, and Mussolini. Here in Barnard as throughout the USA, personal sacrifices are made on behalf of the war effort. Women aid defense by working the “swing shift” building ammunition. Mass food rationing is in effect. The Barnard community comes together over the shared grief of the loss of loved ones and the dreaded fear of the telegram. But in Barnard war isn’t the only thing on people’s minds. Something has occurred which will splinter this close-knit community. Something called murder. A killer is on the loose. He butchers teenage boys and leaves snuff boxes in their mouths containing messages which indicate that a Nazi lives among them. In his own little way the killer has brought the war home to small town America. One of the messages states: “…One less gun against the Reich. …”. The town of Barnard is both enraged and horrified.
Enter Sheriff Thomas Rabbit. He will endeavor to catch the killer as he tries to maintain order in a town on the verge of disorder. Since one quarter of the town is of German heritage, tensions are mounting. People are quick to point the finger at their neighbors of German descent. It seems that no German is beyond question. One German in particular draws suspicion. He lives alone. His name is Ernst Lang. Ernst prefers the company of men over women. He escaped from Germany in 1934. He had been a respected and powerful captain who commanded a force of millions of men. He became disillusioned with Hitler’s rise to prominence, and when as a gay man he became a victim of the third Reich’s vicious brutality. He was tortured, beaten and left for dead. For years Germany had looked the other way while homosexuals lived in relative freedom particularly in Berlin. Now, they are in utmost danger. This is why Ernst came to the town of Barnard. Haunted and scarred by his harsh German military experience, he has come here in search of serenity and anonymity.
Across the street from where Ernst lives we find Tim Randall. Tim is a preteen who lives with his mother while his father fights in Europe. He has befriended Ernst who has always been kind to him. In fact Ernst has established himself as an all around good neighbor by helping Tim’s mother and other neighbors while many of the town’s men are at war. As the murderer’s victims multiply in number, young Tim and some of his older, more ignorant peers, inadvertently learn of Ernst Lang’s homosexuality while playing spy games one night. Soon Ernst Lang’s perceived perverted sexuality is seen as a motive for murder, and the older boys become convinced of his guilt. One boy without much effort will convince his already irate father. How will Tim be affected by the ignorance and peer pressure of these older boys? - Especially in light of the fact that he is young and misses the guidance of his own father. Who will be Tim’s father figure? Who will win the battle for Tim’s loyalty and innocence? And where will Tim’s conscience come into play?
This is not a pretty story but it is beautifully told. The scarred and mysterious Ernst Lang is a character haunted by scenes of war which are disturbingly and vividly captured by Lee Thomas’s rich unflinching prose. Small town 1940s life and attitudes are earnestly wrought and made real. Violence in this book may be graphic and shocking, but more importantly author Thomas is raising valid questions about how we justify the unnecessary brutality, cruelty and bigotry often inherent in the wars we fight. When does the good fight become just another excuse to quench our lustful desire for violence itself? Violence that is both emotional and physical. And what are we teaching our children?
