Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

For my Week #2 challenge, I have selected a story that takes place in Europe, The Tin Drum. Eastern European geography and history are rather nebulous in my mind, so I hope to attain some clarity via the simultaneous research that this book will more than likely require.

From his safe, iron bed situated within a German psychiatric asylum, the diminutive and misshapen Oskar Matzerath records the first thirty years of his life. Using percussive skills to drum up details and, most certainly, incorporating fantastic flourishes to add melodic interest, Oskar composes a dramatic score of his personal travails that features remarkably accurate historical composition.

Reading this book is a unique experience. I cannot remember ever encountering a similar protagonist. Briefly, on two or three occasions, Baby Face Finster of Warner Bros. fame flashed through my mind, but that is it. There is, however, much in this world that I have yet to read!

I also like what I perceive as the novel's bursts of "prosetic" form. Grass seemingly can shape and polish prose until it acquires a lyrical luster. I noticed such an example at the end of the first book where Grass interweaves altered versions of tales involving Meyn, Laubschad, and others. Each account initially is subdued and detailed, but each retelling then becomes more frenzied and concise. This gradual outbreak of verbal war drums produces a feeling of agitation and anticipation that is quite appropriate for the setting as well as poetic in effect.

I am so glad that I chanced upon this novel at my library's book sale. Will I search for the second volume of the Danzig trilogy? If it should happen to appear on a table at the next book sale, then consider it sold.