In 1997, the late writer and academic W.G. Sebald initiated a debate on air
raids during the Second World War and their representation in post-war German
literature. In the course of this ongoing debate, the author Gert Ledig
(1921-1999) has been rediscovered as a successful writer of the 1950s. In
particular his novel "Vergeltung", which was published in 1956 and describes in
detail an air raid on a German city, has firmly re-established him on the
literary map.
This new edition of "Vergeltung" comprises the primary text as well as an
extended commentary, focusing primarily on the narrative structure. In addition,
it also provides biographical information and illuminates the reception history.
All technical terms (e.g. specialist vocabulary relating to aircraft or
strategic aspects) are explained in the margins or in a special glossary.
Gert Ledig. Vergeltung: Roman. Ed. by Florian Radvan. Frankfurt am Main:
Suhrkamp, 2004. ISBN 3-518-18851-8. Euro 8,50. (Suhrkamp BasisBibliothek;
51)
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Dr. Florian Radvan
Institut für deutsche Sprache und Literatur
Pädagogische Hochschule Karlsruhe
