A review by brettcarl
I, Pierre Seel, Deported Homosexual: A Memoir of Nazi Terror by Pierre Seel

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.75

With I, Pierre Seel, Deported Homosexual, Seel bravely recounts the Nazi horrors and terrors that were forcibly inflicted on him, but also Seel's account significantly stands as factual evidence of Nazis persecution and annihilation of homosexuals - a fact that was purposely and despicably hidden, ignored and dismissed by many historians, politicians and institutions after the defeat of the Nazis and the liberation of France - something Seel directly addresses in his memoir.
Seel's memoir is an astonishing account of not just suffering, trauma and shame, but also of resilence, survival and ultimately, self-acceptance and freedom. Seel deftly conveys the fear, anxiety and terror that was instilled within him through the experiences inflicted upon him, as well as how society and culture was also instilled with these petrifying emotions too. In particularly, Seel skillful signifies the effects of war and genocide by exposing how such atrocious inhumanity can perversely and devastatingly strip millions of people - both victimsaand abusers - of their identity and humanity. Furthermore, Seel masterfully questions the morals and ethics of war and humanity both during and after the war through not only the surge in homophobia in society and the passing of Anti-homosexual laws, but also in the Post-Ww2 relationships between the Allied forces (as seen in the splitting of Germany), as well as the organisation and undertaking of justice (such as the inconsistent punishment of the Nazis, and the inconsistent care, acceptance and support of their victims). 
Notably, Seel's memoir also highlights the trials and tribulations that homosexuals still face today, specifically the oppression, persecution and discrimination that they are subjected too, and subsequently, how this treatment has drastic and devastating ramifications on them and their loved ones (such as homosexuals being pressured in to heterosexual marriages and procreation). 
Lastly, and personally, I want to thank Pierre Seel for his outstanding bravery and remarkable humanity in proudly and defiantly representing both homosexual victims of the Nazi persecution, and thus adding the, sadly, much-needed evidence and credibility to the factual claims made by many of the Nazis persecution of homosexuals, but also Seel's memoir and Seel himself are vital testaments to the experiences and existence of LGBTQ+ individuals and groups within our societies throughout history showing not only that we've always existed, but how we've been treated in the most inhumane ways and still resisted, rebelled, survived and thrived through it all too! 
Thank you Mr Seel! Thank you!