Title: Er ist wieder da
Author: Timur Vermes
First published September 1, 2012
400 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9783847905172 (ISBN10: 3847905171)
Rating: 3.43
Overview
Summer 2011. Elvis Presley wakes up on a deserted island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Without his music, without his fans, without Priscilla. In the deepest isolation, surrounded by nothing but sand and palm trees.
Decades after his supposed death, the King of Rock and Roll finds himself stranded in the present day, and against all odds, he embarks on a new career – in the fashion industry. This Elvis is not a joke and is surprisingly real.
And the world he encounters is also real: cynical, relentlessly obsessed with success, and despite years of advancement, completely helpless against the Demi-God and the addiction to trends and social media. A farce?
A satire? Fashion-Comedy?
All of this and more: This literary masterpiece by Timur Vermes is a work of the first order.
About the Author
Born in Nuremberg in 1967, Vermes’ father fled from Hungary after the oppression of the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. After graduating, he pursued history and politics at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.
Since then, he has worked as a journalist for several newspapers, including the Munich Abendzeitung and the Cologne Express. In 2007, he began ghostwriting books, including the intriguingly named What’s Left Of Death by a crime scene cleaner.
In 2012, Vermes made his literary debut with the publication of Er ist wieder da. The satirical novel explores what would happen if Adolf Hitler woke up in 2011 Berlin and made his way back into politics through various comedy television shows.
Following its presentation at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the novel quickly climbed to the number one spot on the Spiegel Bestseller List. An audiobook, read by Christoph Maria Herbst, also reached the top spot.
As of June 2013, the book had sold over 700,000 copies and had been translated into 27 languages. In December 2013, it was announced that Constantin Film would produce the film adaptation of Vermes’ bestseller, with Vermes himself penning the script.
The film is set to be released in 2015.
Editoral Review
Er ist wieder da (He is back) is a satirical novel by German author Timur Vermes. The book, first published in 2012, takes a humorous and darkly satirical look at the political and social climate in Germany in the early 21st century.
It quickly became a bestseller in Germany and sparked controversy and discussion about the use of humor and satire to address sensitive historical topics. The novel begins with the premise that Adolf Hitler somehow time-traveled to the present day and wakes up in modern-day Berlin.
From there, the story follows Hitler as he navigates the confused and conflicted landscape of contemporary Germany, trying to make sense of changes that have occurred since he was last in power. The main character, Hitler, is presented as a caricature: ridiculous, pompous, and dangerous.
However, he is also compelling, and there are moments in the novel where the reader may be tempted to sympathize with him or even see him as a tragic figure. The supporting cast of characters is similarly well-drawn, and the novel is filled with sharp observations and witty lines.
Despite its ludicrous premise, Er ist wieder da is a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of the nature of authoritarianism and the dangers of nostalgia. The novel is also a commentary on the media, politics, and the power of propaganda.
At its core, Er ist wieder da is a warning about the fragility of democracy and the dangers of apathy. Vermes’ writing is sharp and often hilarious, and he employs a wide range of satirical techniques, including mock interviews, parodies of popular television shows, and satirical news segments.
The novel is also packed with references to German culture and history, making it an interesting read for anyone interested in that subject. However, the novel does have some flaws.
The pacing can be uneven, with the novel occasionally becoming bogged down in exposition. Additionally, the humor can be uneven, with some jokes falling flat.
Some may also find the novel offensive, given its premise. Overall, Er ist wieder da is a well-crafted and thought-provoking novel that successfully blends humor with serious subject matter.
It may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy satire and political commentary, it is definitely worth checking out. The novel would be particularly interesting for those interested in German history and culture, as well as anyone interested in the nature of authoritarianism and the dangers of nostalgia.
We would give Er ist wieder da four out of five stars, with points deducted for pacing and some uneven humor. However, despite its flaws, we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
