In the early twentieth century, nudist and coconut-worshipper August Engelhardt departs Germany for the German colonies in the South Pacific. He buys an island (Kabakon) and spends his days in the sun, subsisting entirely off coconuts. His pamplet, penned years prior and distributed in Germany, attracts the occasional disciple, though they often leave mystified and repulsed after a short while. Engelhardt more frequently interacts with the natives who tend his coconut 'plantation.' He grows increasingly obsessive, paranoid, bizarre, solitary, and unhealthy, developing leprosy and other conditions. His journeys to nearby Herbertshöhe- the colonial 'capital' on a nearby island- are increasingly scarce and prove an annoyance to all. (The lives of some inhabitants there are covered, though in far less detail.) Eventually, he'd be discovered living in a cave by American soldiers after WWII and his fascinating story made into film.
This book- which has won multiple awards- was certainly captivating. It's absurd, entertaining (with wit and expert wordplay mildly reminiscent of Dave Barry) and in places profound. The translation was fantastic (and has itself won awards). It appears to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of extremism at its heart- and foreshadows the German horrors in the coming decades- though it also highlights (through many characters) the sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness experienced by so many in this life. I came across this in my "German Reading List" research, and I'm glad I read it, though I'm not sure I found it quite as astonishing or insightful as the reviews would suggest. One review called this a "delightful historical farce" (Sam Sacks, The Wall Street Journal). I agree- in fact, August Engelhardt did exist and live a similar life (though he died well before WWII), and other historical figures appear in here, too, though the details are often changed a good deal.
Rating: A-
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