Christian Hoffmann, columnist for Der Spiegel, worked for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung for almost two decades and worked as a foreign correspondent in Moscow and Tehran. In order to find out the story behind her father's escape from World War II, she resolutely decided to revisit this journey full of hardships and unknowns. The book "Everything We Forget" is not only a family story, but also a deep historical retrospective, an ode to courage and tenacity.
In the book, Hoffman delicately describes the emotional bond and memories between himself and his father from a first-person perspective. She shows us many facets of that history through her words, giving us a deeper understanding of the profound impact of war on individuals. At the same time, she incorporates her own feelings and reflections, making this work not only a simple narration of history, but also an in-depth analysis of human nature, destiny and choice.
My father's escape was not only a geographical migration, but also a spiritual experience. In the shadow of the war, countless families were forcibly separated, and many had to flee. Hoffman's father was no exception. He fled from his hometown of Rose Valley to Klinghardt, where he endured numerous hardships and dangers. And this book is a kind of retrospective and reflection on this period of history by Hoffman.
What is impressive is the depiction of detail in the book. Hoffmann recreated the historical scene as much as possible through his communication with his father and the review of a large number of historical materials. It is as if the reader can feel the cruelty of war and the brilliance of humanity through the words. It is the depiction of these details that makes this work of high literary value.
In addition, Hoffman also has some profound topics in the book, such as family inheritance, the relationship between history and reality, etc. Through her own experiences and reflections, she guides readers to think about these topics of universal significance. This makes this book not only a book about World War II, but also a book that can provoke people to think about history, family and human nature.
Of course, as a memoir-style work, there are also some touching moments and stories in the book. Especially when describing the emotional bond between Hoffman and his father, it is even more moving. These emotions are sincere and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, which makes this work have a high emotional value. Perhaps only by re-following her father's path of escape can she be able to do a thing on her mind.
"Everything We Forget".It's a great book to read. Through Hoffman's writings, we can not only understand that history more deeply, but also read Hoffman's nostalgia for his father and his father's love for her.