A review by tasmanian_bibliophile
All for Nothing by Walter Kempowski

4.5

 

‘Who know what may happen yet?’ 

East Prussia, January 1945. The German forces are retreating as the Red Army moves towards Berlin. The von Globig estate, the Georgenhof, is small and declining. Eberhard von Globig, and officer in the German army is in Italy. Eberhard’s wife, Katharina is nominally in charge but most of the responsibility falls on the shoulders of Auntie. The von Globig son, twelve-year-old Peter, takes refuge in books. He has a persistent cough which has kept him out of the Hitler Youth. As the novel opens, life on the estate seems cushioned from the impact of war. 

‘Can an individual make a difference?’ 

But as the Red Army advances, and more Germans flee the occupied territories, the Georgenhof receives visitors including a Nazi violinist, a painter, and a Jewish refugee. Life continues. The estate is supported by Vladimir, who is Polish, with household labour undertaken by Vera and Sonya, two Ukrainian women. Daily visits are made by from Dr Wagner who provides Peter with tuition. The von Globigs think of leaving, but what would they take? Surely it is better to wait… even though the Russians are almost at the nearby city of Mitkau. 

In time Drygalski, the local Nazi representative, requires the von Globigs to take refugees into their home. Eventually the remnants of the family decide to leave, but Auntie and Peter leave without Katharina who has been imprisoned for helping a Jew. 

And so the story continues, through chaos and cruelty, confusion and kindness. Dispossession, death, disaster. Who will live to tell the story? 

‘Was everything all right now?’ 

Jennifer Cameron-Smith