A long-lost novel by English penwoman Sylvia “Sally” Carson has resurfaced. This novel, peering deep into the cradle of Nazi ideology, is experiencing a resurgence of interest thanks to its prescient themes. Crooked Cross, released in 1934, powerfully narrates the tragic experiences of the Kluger family. As Hitler’s regime rises to power, they find themselves living in an idyllic small German town at the foot of the majestic Bavarian Alps. Carson wrote the novel following those transformative trips to friends in Bavaria in the early 1930s. It was there, though, that she saw some disheartening changes in societal attitudes.
The narrative covers a critical six-month period, from Christmas Eve 1932 to Midsummer Night 1933, illustrating how quickly life can change under totalitarian rule. Carson’s writing does a stunning job of getting to the heart of that revolutionary time. She carefully depicts the slow loss of freedoms and the terrifying rise of unchecked power by the Nazis.
Carson’s protagonist, Helmy Kluger, finds himself enchanted by the fervor at a Nazi rally, an experience that encapsulates the conflicting emotions many felt during that turbulent time. The novel fearlessly explores the gnarly realities of our society. It gives new context to the icy anti-Semitism that Carson faced as a heretic up close and personally while residing in Bavaria.
“He had no warning of the destruction that would be caused by the setting free of that power for which he now shouted as hoarsely as the others… Hitler was to them like some splendid deliverer; a god… Their arms flew out in the same signal – a forest of stretching brown arms with the fingers pointing to the little god with a toothbrush moustache. Heil Hitler!” – Sally Carson
As readers explore Carson’s work, they are struck by her ability to delve into the emotional landscape of her characters. The Kluger family’s tragic, personal experiences ring painfully true, rendering their story all the more relevant and easy to empathize with. As critics have pointed out, Carson’s novel goes beyond simple historical narrative.
“Crooked Cross is more truthful than telegraphed reports; it is fairer than propaganda, and it is more interesting than either,” remarked a reviewer in the Acton Gazette, as quoted by Francesca Beauman.
Carson’s untimely death from breast cancer in 1941 left “Crooked Cross” overshadowed. Her novel sadly and quickly fell out of prominence, overshadowed by the same events that she foreshadowed. Its recent republication by Persephone Books has brought new attention to her work and how prescient it is in today’s world.
Alongside production of her novel, Carson adapted “Crooked Cross” into a play in 1937. The adaptation was staged in London, but it was criticized for being seen as anti-German. The Lord Chamberlain’s office required that a host of references to Nazi slogans be cut for public performance.
Carson’s prophetic insight into the emergence of Nazism and the accompanying consequences permeates her story. Her real-life experiences and observations while living in Bavaria uniquely positioned her to create a truly dynamic and authentic snapshot of the sociopolitical climate. She deftly interweaves her characters’ personal struggles with broader societal changes, providing readers with insight into the human condition during times of upheaval.
Crooked Cross experiences that are perilously urgent in our current context. It invites important conversations around themes of propaganda, use of power, and complicity in society.
“The historian will tell you what happened. The novelist can tell you what it felt like,” noted EL Doctorow, emphasizing the unique power of literary storytelling.
Carson’s work serves as both a historical document and a cautionary tale about the dangers posed when society allows extremist ideologies to take root. Through her compelling portrayals, Gurley challenges us all to consider our priorities and obligations in the modern world.
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