A review of Norbert Gstrein‘s “Im ersten Licht” (In the First Light)
Norbert Gstrein’s “Im ersten Licht” (published by Hanser, 416 pages, €27.80) is a novel that journeys towards Adrian’s search for meaning in England, specifically the historic Downs of Southeast england, a landscape resonant with the struggles against the Nazi regime.
The narrative introduces the case of Teddy Stephen, an English soldier executed by his own side during World War I for alleged cowardice. This case brings to light a suppressed theme in Adrian’s life and initiates a reflective exploration of war within the text. The novel contemplates the complex position of those who opposed war yet found themselves compelled to participate in what was perceived as a just cause: “Perhaps that was the only possible attitude, not wanting to go to war and being fundamentally against the war, but still going to war when it came to the just cause, on which, of course, everything depended.”
Gstrein masterfully crafts a novel, both thematically and structurally, that leaves no doubt about the inescapable nature of responsibility and the impossibility of shedding guilt.
However, the book, characteristic of Gstrein’s style, remains open to interpretation, particularly regarding it’s form and the very nature of truth.A high degree of self-referentiality is a hallmark of Gstrein’s work, but it avoids appearing as mere stylistic affectation because of the author’s consistent intertwining of aesthetics and ethics.
The novel culminates with Gstrein himself entering the narrative, referencing his debut novel “Einer” (1988) as being of limited relevance. This demonstrates a playful spirit despite the seriousness of the themes explored, and a willingness to engage in self-irony – a rare quality.
“Rührung war das Letzte, was er sich erlauben konnte” (“Sentimentality was the last thing he could allow himself”), the text states regarding Adrian. Gstrein appears to have intentionally crafted the final chapter of “Im ersten Licht” as a safeguard against facile emotional responses and overly simplistic political interpretations.
Source: The provided text itself is the primary source for this review. no external sources were needed as the task was to summarize and present the details contained within the given excerpt.