9781474611152 Olga Bernard Schlink

“Olga” by Bernard Schlink

This is the translation of the latest book by the author of “The Reader”, and in just a few words – it is very good.

We follow the life of Olga Rinke, orphaned when very young who goes to Pomerania to live with her grandmother in the Prussian countryside. However there is no affection, and little familial connection between the two, and her rather lonely existence is eventually compensated for by a friendship with Herbert, the son of the local aristocratic landowner.

Herbert is first introduced to us, the reader, as an infant, who is always on the move, restless even as a baby, and as a child running around, a habit he continues into adulthood; always arriving to meet Olga by running there. A restless boy who remains equally itinerant as he grows into adulthood. This excessive activity symbolic of how he will mature; always mobile, seeking adventure and exploration.

Olga is bright, ambitious and though poor has set her sights on going to college, something she achieves; eventually returning back to her home village as the local school teacher.

As children, this friendship is shared with Hector’s sister, Viktoria; however she turns against Olga as she witnesses their developing relationship. An approach Viktoria then festers and agitates. Hector’s parents are equally against the young couple formalising their love and threaten to disinherit him.

Herbert joins the army and as a young officer is sent off to German South-West Africa. A willing participant in a period of German expansionism, and one where the Kaiser’s forces gained a reputation for brutal empire building. He survives and returns but then his wanderlust sees him depart for South America. Herbert’s experiences are also chronicled in some detail.

By this time Olga is teaching in East Prussia, her move enforced upon her, partially at Viktoria’s instigation. It is here where Herbert returns to Olga, meets her new friends, and in particular a family to which Olga has become particularly attached.

It is here in this locality, Herbert gives his first talk about Arctic exploration, the great North-East Passage and other feats he plans. The first of many presentations as he seeks backers for his ventures. Eventually he sets off for an island in the Spitsbergen archipelago, a year or so before the outbreak of the First World War.

We follow their lives, and in particular Olga’s over the decades, jumping forward to the WW2 and her fleeing the advancing Russian army and starting a new life, and making new friends who remain a constant voice in the second half of this book. It is the son of a family she works with, Ferdinand, who recounts the second half of the book, and unfolds the history of Olga and Herbert and their eternal love, even uncovering Olga’s letters to Herbert sent to him in the frozen north, and recounts Olga’s life in West Germany before and after unification.

This is a story across decades of German history, but tells us of Olga’s life, her love for Herbert, and how this love evolves. A well written novel which has great potential for becoming popular with reading groups. Highly recommended!