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**purchasviagra** · 06-01-2008, 07:29 PM

A nice little read, Crabwalk. Of the four Grass novels I've read, this was the most traditional and straightforward. But I found the purpose of the novel misguided. I understand Grass has taken upon himself to be the consciousness of post-war Germany and doesn't want his country to ever forget, but can he not at least have some compassion for his countrymen when they were the victims?

The Gustloff was a tragedy that claimed over 9000 victims, including many civilians, but Grass only seems bothered about how the neo-Nazis have used it as a propaganda symbol. Not even the main character, who was born during the sinking, has any feelings for it except spite.

06-01-2008, 07:29 PM	#4
purchasviagra Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 414 Senior Member	A nice little read, Crabwalk. Of the four Grass novels I've read, this was the most traditional and straightforward. But I found the purpose of the novel misguided. I understand Grass has taken upon himself to be the consciousness of post-war Germany and doesn't want his country to ever forget, but can he not at least have some compassion for his countrymen when they were the victims? The Gustloff was a tragedy that claimed over 9000 victims, including many civilians, but Grass only seems bothered about how the neo-Nazis have used it as a propaganda symbol. Not even the main character, who was born during the sinking, has any feelings for it except spite.
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