Look Who’s Back by Timur Vermes

Description

“Look Who’s Back” is a satirical novel written by Timur Vermes, first published in German in 2012 under the title “Er ist wieder da.” The English translation was later published in 2014.

The novel imagines a scenario in which Adolf Hitler mysteriously reawakens in present-day Berlin, without aging a day since his death in 1945. Confused and disoriented at first, Hitler quickly adapts to the modern world and assumes that he has time-traveled to a future where his ideals have triumphed.

As Hitler navigates contemporary German society, he becomes a media sensation, initially dismissed as a method actor or a look-alike impersonator. However, as his popularity grows, he is given his own television show and becomes a social media sensation, using his platform to espouse his extreme nationalist and xenophobic views.

Through Hitler’s interactions with modern Germans and his observations of contemporary politics and culture, the novel satirizes various aspects of society, including media sensationalism, political opportunism, and the dangers of historical revisionism. It also raises questions about the nature of fame, power, and collective memory.

“Look Who’s Back” is both darkly comedic and thought-provoking, prompting readers to reflect on the enduring legacy of Hitler and the lessons of history. Vermes’s portrayal of Hitler as a fish out of water in the modern world serves as a commentary on the persistence of authoritarianism and extremism, as well as the dangers of complacency and indifference.

Overall, “Look Who’s Back” is a provocative and timely novel that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the past and present, while also offering a sharp critique of contemporary society.