Explorations Read-Aloud: “Every Man Dies Alone” by Hans Fallada, Translated by Michael Hoffman

Every Friday, at 11:00 am, on the library’s YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, the library will stream a brand new recording of local thespian, Joseph Coté reading aloud selections from a wide variety of fascinating and entertaining books of fiction and non-fiction.

For May 29, Coté will read aloud from Hans Fallada’s Every Man Dies Alone, translated by Michael Hoffman.

“The greatest book ever written about the German resistance to the Nazis.” — Primo Levi

This unflinching masterpiece based on a true story of resistance is more timely than ever, as fascist forces in the 20th century find their home in the rhetoric of the modern right wing political agenda.

Entering its 15th year of English translation, the brilliant Hans Fallada’s account of what The New Yorker called “a visceral, chilling portrait of … everyday German life during the war” follows a working-class couple in Berlin and grieving the loss of their son, launch a campaign to oppose the Nazi regime.

Based on a true story from the files of the Gestapo, this sweeping saga of resistance is more relevant than ever in modern times, with the rise of right wing rhetoric echoed in global politics, and seen in increased book bannings and the reversal of womens’ and LGBTQ+ rights in the US.

In the end, it’s more than an edge-of-your-seat thriller, more than a moving romance, even more than literature of the highest order—it’s a deeply stirring story of two people standing up for what’s right — even against impossible odds.

Click the links to find the library’s YouTube Channel and Facebook Page.

Thoughts to share? Book ideas to suggest?
Contact Joseph at friday-explorations@usa.net