Andorra by Max Frisch
Now to: Andorra, by Max Frisch (in German: Andorra, in French: Andorra). I read it in German where it contained 116 pages. Age 14+
Andri's life isn't exactly easy. Of course, he's bound to be grateful to have been rescued by the teacher, and that he has a home and everything. But he was born a Jew and he stays that in everyone's eyes. It doesn't matter whether he's better at something, he's a Jew – he doesn't get work. Plain and simple. The only good thing in his life is Barblin, the teacher's daughter. Growing up and falling in love, they have vowed to marry one day. But marriage to a Jew would be difficult… and Barblin's beauty attracts other suitors who like to hurt Andri… When a stranger comes to town, old secrets resurface – but not fast enough to prevent the catastrophe...
This book's pretty cool. I don't like Andri, but I pity Barblin and her mother...
The mother, because she tried everything to keep her children alive. And Barblin, because she really loved Andri. She's a good person. Kind, thoughtful, principled, loyal, brave. She deserved none of this. Least of all how Andri treats her. Even though I kind of understand why he does it… at least after the soldier scene. But before, when he can't focus on anything else than his self-pity? Poor Barblin. The only thing I don't understand is why Barblin never told Andri what really happened with the soldier. She loves Andri and he was in pain because of her. No matter what relationship they have now, how could she leave him in such an agony?
And this thing with the shoes... it broke my heart.
As for the father: He sucks. Seriously. He should have told Andri and Barblin the moment he knew they fell with each other if he didn't have guts to tell his wife. Seriously, if he didn't lie, the story would have a very different ending.
As for his mistress: She really has a short scene, doesn't she? I wonder what kind of person she is. She seems interesting enough.
The other characters are kind of flat. All they do is hate Jews, it seems. Except for that soldier – he loves sex as well.
But apart from that, some of the metaphorical elements in this book are nicely done – there aren't too much, fortunately. Otherwise, you simply can't keep track of them – like in Hiob.
I like the pictures of the color and how Barblin begins and ends with trying to fix the facade of everything – which is exactly her role in this play. She tries to fix things, but can't really see to the core of the problem. So she just works and works and works on the surface, without reaching anything.
The pole and the guilt it implies is nicely done, as well.
But what I found most interesting is the means with which they looked for Jews. Especially the thing with the shoes. God, talk about historical meanings.
“Here are his shoes.” The scene broke my heart even before I realized the historical component.
In brief:
I give this book a star for content, a star for ideas and half a star for metaphors and stage directions.