Clouds over Paris: The Wartime Notebooks of Felix Hartlaub

During the Second World War, Felix Hartlaub was posted to Paris to conduct archival research. He recorded his impressions of the city in notebooks, documenting the daily realities of occupation with a painter's eye for detail. Clouds Over Paris is a unique testament to the persistence of ordinary life through disaster.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Pushkin Press

Felix Hartlaub, a renowned German writer, left behind a modest literary legacy after passing away at the age of 31 in 1945. His private writings from the Second World War, consisting of fragments and observations of life amidst catastrophe, have secured a permanent place in German letters. In 1940, Hartlaub was assigned to Paris to conduct archival research, and he documented his impressions of the unfamiliar city in notebooks that capture the daily realities of occupation with unparalleled immediacy. Through a painter's eye for detail, Hartlaub vividly describes the bustling civilians and soldiers in cafés, the fleeting encounters during blackout hours, and the awe-inspiring beauty of Paris in spring. Clouds Over Paris stands as a remarkable testament to the resilience of ordinary life in the face of disaster.

Background:
Felix Hartlaub was born in 1913 in Berlin, Germany. He attended the University of Berlin and studied philosophy and literature. During the Second World War, he served in the German army and was posted to Paris in 1940 to conduct archival research.
Impressions of Paris:
Hartlaub's notebooks provide a vivid account of his experiences in Paris during the occupation. With a painter's eye for detail, he describes the bustling civilians and soldiers in cafés, the half-seen trysts during blackout hours, and the sublime light of Paris in spring. He also reflects on the political and social climate of the time, noting the growing tensions between the French and German populations and the emergence of resistance movements.
Legacy:
Despite his short life and obscurity during his lifetime, Felix Hartlaub's writings have gained recognition and appreciation over the years. His evocative power and precision have made him a celebrated figure in German letters. His work has been translated into numerous languages and has been the subject of scholarly research and analysis.
Conclusion:
Clouds Over Paris is a unique testament to the persistence of ordinary life through disaster. Felix Hartlaub's writings provide a glimpse into the lives of people living in occupied Paris, showcasing their resilience, courage, and humanity in the face of adversity. His legacy continues to inspire and resonate with readers worldwide, reminding us of the importance of documenting and preserving the stories of those who have lived through historical events.

Weight: 158g
Dimension: 127 x 197 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781782278467