The Aesthetics of Resistance, Volume II: A Novel (Volume 2)

Volume II of "The Aesthetics of Resistance" begins with the departure of the semi-autobiographical protagonist from Spain as the fascists defeat the Republic, and his arrival in France. The opening section features an extended analysis of the "The Raft of the Medusa" by Géricault, including the real-life shipwreck and the fate of the survivors of the raft.While awaiting his assignment, the young militant of the KPD (Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands) meets Willi Münzenberg, one of the original members, but now at odds with the party leadership. One of the most engaging parts of this Part I is Münzenberg's recounting of his meeting Lenin in Zurich. Like most of the characters in the book, these are real historical figures, and they did actually meet in Zurich before Lenin returned to Russia. I was amazed to learn that Lenin lived just up the hill from the renowned dada Cabaret Voltaire during his Swiss exile! Apparently the loud late night goings-on there disturbed the revolutionary's peace and quiet while he was trying to theorize and strategize.The Weiss stand-in is assigned to Sweden. Provided with papers through the union, he goes to work in a factory. He falls in love with the daughter of a German scientist imprisoned by the Nazis. Then in Part II he begins working with Brecht on a play. Yes, Bertolt Brecht was in exile in Sweden in 1939-1940.Here we have a long description of this play, which was left unfinished when Brecht left for Finland. Yes, he did actually begin a play, which is documented in a documentary film: "Image Missing or Scenes Based on an Unrealized Play by Bertolt Brecht (1939), and Later Reimagined by Peter Weiss (1978), about Engelbrekt and the Peasant Uprising in Sweden 1434—36." Brecht is not portrayed as a sympathetic character, but rather egotistical and arrogant. Presumably this is based on Weiss's actual experience. Another KPD militant in Sweden, Charlotte Bischoff, is presented as much more admirable.Weiss moves back and forth between 15th century Sweden and 20th century Europe events including the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, which is certainly not welcomed by the German communists fighting Hitler from the underground. The reader must pay close attention because there are no transitions to mark these jumps in time and place.Weiss's historical novel is recommended to anyone interested in the Left and in the antifascist resistance. Given that Volume I appeared in English in 2005, and Volume II in 2020, we may or may not live to read Volume III.

Peter Weiss has written an engaging historical novel that includes details from the anti-fascist Resistance and attentive details from the Spanish Civil War. Many of the historical figures have biographies worthy of further attention by readers interested in the historical record of the Spanish conflict and the political forces at work in that era. It is a highly nuanced rendition of the heroic figures and ideological mistakes that were part of this fractured time. A sensitive treatment of the struggles faced by the anti-fascist survivors in the pre-World War II period. I look forward to the third volume of this singular historical novel that hopefully will be published soon. Peace, Ronald C. Kent