30 April 1945

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A kaleidoscopic view of a historically significant day and its profound effects on many lives unfolds on April 30, 1945, marking an end of sorts in the Third Reich. This day, filled with contradictions and bewildering events, would forever alter global history. While the Red Army occupied Berlin, Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker, and the United Nations was founded in San Francisco. The narrative explores this pivotal day, revealing events across various theaters of the Second World War, including life in a small German town occupied by American forces and the plight of two SS officers stranded on the Kerguelen Islands in the South Indian Sea. Kluge, a master storyteller, weaves these disparate tales, prompting an unavoidable question: What is the appropriate reaction to the total upheaval of the status quo? Presented with an afterword by Reinhard Jirgl, this collection captures lives turned upside down by the deadliest war in history. The collective experiences depicted are jarring, poignant, and rich with meaning. Seventy years later, we can still see our own reflections in the upheaval of that single day in 1945. Praise for Kluge includes recognition of his essential, brilliant achievements, underscoring the enduring interest in his work.