Anthea Bell

"The last novel by one of Germany's most important postwar writers, All for Nothing was published in 2006. It describes with matter-of-fact clarity and acuity, and a roving point of view, the atmosphere in East Prussia during the winter of 1944-1945, as the German forces are in retreat and the Red Army approaches. The von Globig family's manor is falling into a state of disrepair. Auntie runs the estate as best she can since Eberhard von Globig, a...