Look Who's Back

One of the most interesting satires I've ever read. Vermes' use of first-person narration is unsettling in the right way—Hitler vacillates between humorous, fish-out-of-water misunderstandings, a few uncomfortable truths about global capitalism (with the cause, of course, grossly misattributed), and reprehensible fascist sentiment that shocks the reader into discomfort over how comfortable they've grown with him. Vermes wrote Look Who's Back in 2011 for a German audience; while similarities to a certain American President are coincidental, suffice it to say that the book has aged beautifully. Vermes demonstrates that you, yes, you, are receptive to evil if you are propagandized in the correct way. Much of the novel's humor comes from how much the world has changed since Hitler's time, but its tragedy comes from just how similar the world still is.

Imagine if Hitler instead of being long dead unexpectedly wakes up in Berlin in 2011, what would he make of the world today and more importantly, how would he be received? Vermes' fictional satire often bordering on dark comedy is written from the first-person narrative of ‘Herr Hitler', as he asks to called by people around him. It's uncanny how timely the book is considering the inexplicable rise of Trump in America and the similar sentiments he espouses unabashedly to gain popular support among the right-wing. People often consider extremist views as an edgy art form and seem to revel but does it mask a underlying agreement with the sentiments expressed? Although Vermes' Hitler is never taken seriously as political opinion, you can see the mental gymnastics his acquaintances perform while laughing with him as he maintains a poker face. Also, news that Mein Kamf has been republished in Germany and sold out within a day doesn't exactly inspire confidence that we're past bigotry yet (or are people simply trying to understand it better?)

PS. I loved the book cover. Excellent design indeed.

Robert Lynch conducted a study that analyzed if when we laugh, we reveal what's inside us by exposing participants to very edgy stand-up routines from comedian Bill Burr. So are you laughing at seemingly racist or sexist jokes because you secretly agree? If not, what's makes us laugh? Food for thought, eh?

Also, as in any time travel tale (I'm a sucker for those), there are plenty of hilarious moments when Herr Hitler tries to wrap his head around things that have changed (“Herr Starbuck seems to have coffee houses everywhere”).

You don't read books like this every day! This satirical book about what would happen if Hitler came to life in modern Berlin will shock you, even if only because of how well-researched it was. I feared that it would just be a slapstick comedy about Hitler being surprised and appalled by modern-day diversity and capitalism, but it was actually far cleverer than that.
For example, the book was written from Hitler's perspective and it mimicked his style remarkably. At first, I found the book to be a bit rambling and prone to unnecessary tangents that frankly made little sense. However, it turns out this jabbering was actually an excellent imitation of the writing style one finds in Mein Kampf! Beyond that, the level of research the author does on the everyday habits and tendencies of Hitler and the kinds of relationships he had with his contemporaries was staggering. In reading this, you inevitably become something of a Hitler buff. The author was clearly determined to do more than write a satirical commentary on a dictator. The character was so well developed, I don't doubt the Furer himself would approve!
As far as the story goes, there isn't one really. Everyone thinks he's an actor who never breaks character, and the way he reacts to the modern world is not at all what one would expect, resulting in people thinking he's a mockery of his actual self. The concept is more uniquely played out than I would have thought, but it definitely wasn't gripping in any real manner. Also, since it's an English translation of a German book, a few details seem to get lost in translation, such as his relationship to the publication Bild. Not knowing what Bild is left me feeling like I missed a joke or two. Overall though, the puns and witticisms are well translated, and it is sure to make you laugh!

It's 2011 and Adolf Hitler has just woken up in Berlin, in full regalia, only slightly dusty but otherwise no worse for wear. Hitler being Hitler accepts his new found situation and soon becomes a YouTube celebrity, lauded for his edgy take on modern Germany and his Method-like commitment to his craft.

Translated from German (actually it's been translated into 42 languages including Hebrew) after selling over 2 million copies in Germany, it's told from Hitler's perspective. It's a unique challenge for author Timur Vermes to stay “true” to Hitler's voice then widen the lens and deliver comedic beats based on the larger context. But this isn't Colbert, and Hitler isn't in the same league as a right-wing blowhard, which makes for an uncomfortable frisson. Sill, Vermes is examining the single-minded charisma that propelled him to power while having fun as Hitler opines on weaponizing dogs, those damn cooking shows and Vikipedia. As a whole though, I think it plays better in Germany.