A Postcard from the Volcano

How can the young son of a proud Prussian Count be so different from his two brothers who serve Germany in World War I? What are the influences in his life which lead him on a radically different path from his brothers? While his father lives, he insists that young Max von Hofmannswaldau will attend the same military school that his brothers attended and will be a soldier for his beloved Germany.  His mother, however, has other hopes for him.

As the war starts, Prussia is full of optimism and certain of victory. It is only a short time, however, before defeat is imminent and the hopes of the German people are crushed. This story is carefully crafted to accurately recount the historical facts of the war and era while at the same time, taking the reader into the life of a young man who doesn’t fit the mold of the Prussian noble. For young Max has a heart open to the teaching of his tutor, Mr. Mendel, and he has inherited his mother’s love of culture. 

Young Max grows, unaware of a family secret which involves his own identity, and the untimely death of his father propels him in the direction his mother has always hoped for. He will not attend the military school, but rather, will attend the Gymnasium in Breslau. His teacher there, Mr. Fischer, has a great influence on him and is one of the few Catholics Max has met outside of the hired help on his father’s estate. There he meets the young Pole named Adam, who is “Everyman;” a scholar, a pianist, a conversationalist. He is a brilliant student who can discourse with people from all walks and stations in life and who seems to be at ease in every situation.  Max is in awe of Adam and learns many things from him. 

The 500-plus pages of this book should not scare the potential reader away because the story captivates and keeps the reader interested. It moves quickly, and being masterfully told, arouses sympathy and empathy for the characters. On a subconscious level, the reader is challenged to think about his own prejudices toward those who are different from himself in some way—whether the differences are racial, religious or any other. 

Thumbs up to Lucy Beckett who has captured this point in history with such poignancy and accuracy!