Es el verano de 2011. Adolf Hitler despierta en un descampado en el centro de Berlín. No hay símbolos nazis, reina la paz, las calles están invadidas por extranjeros y Alemania está gobernada por una mujer rechoncha que hace lo que quiere en Europa. Sesenta y seis años después de su caída, el resucitado Hitler triunfa en la televisión como perfecto imitador del Führer, un cómico genial. Pero él no bromea en absoluto. La fama es la plataforma perfecta para retomar su carrera política. ¿Qué daño podría hacer hoy Hitler?

Is it morally acceptable to feature Hitler as the rather likeable protagonist of a comic novel? Is it in good taste to turn a mass murderer into a figure of fun? These questions naturally come to mind when faced with Timur Vermes's first novel. The premise is simple - Hitler inexplicably wakes up in modern day Berlin and, mistaken for an uncannily brilliant method actor, lands a programme on national tv. Much of the resulting humour is, predictably, based on the reverse anachronisms raised by the Rip-van-Winkle situation. Hitler is astounded by the technological advances such as the "mouse device", the "internetwork" and the "Vikipedia", which he believes is named after the "intrepid explorer Teutons of old". He is flummoxed by the sight of "madwomen" walking their dogs and cleaning up after them,cannot understand why his goth scretary does not wear wholesome, colourful clothing and is impressed that Herr Starbuck has apparently taken over all the coffee houses in Berlin.

Vermes makes the most out of these scenes, but he is most incisive when he uses his character to satirize modern-day society, politics and media. On the whole, an entertaining and occasionally thought-provoking read. What is pleasantly surprising is that although the humour is probably quite culture and language-specific, the English translation is zesty, flowing and idiomatic. Kudos to Jamie Bulloch for this. ( )

Hoping for a hilarious journey akin to a Mel Brooks film, this library staff pick was disappointing. In concept the idea has merit but the author's sense of humor is subdued. It's slow moving and lackluster as well. Enough said. ( )

So plump die Idee klingt, so großartig ist die Umsetzung (oder es ist mein schlichtes Gemüt, wer weiß). Ich hab es als Hörbuch gehört, und Christoph Maria Herbst' Hitler ist wirklich fabelhaft. Unglaublich fies, treffend, sehr lustig und dabei - wahres Kunststück - nie geschmacklos. Und so verdammt realistisch, dass sich mir die Haare sträuben bei dem Gedanken, dass Hitler tatsächlich eines Tages nach Kerosin stinkend potzmonter aus der Erde krabbelt. ( )

Is it morally acceptable to feature Hitler as the rather likeable protagonist of a comic novel? Is it in good taste to turn a mass murderer into a figure of fun? These questions naturally come to mind when faced with Timur Vermes's first novel. The premise is simple - Hitler inexplicably wakes up in modern day Berlin and, mistaken for an uncannily brilliant method actor, lands a programme on national tv. Much of the resulting humour is, predictably, based on the reverse anachronisms raised by the Rip-van-Winkle situation. Hitler is astounded by the technological advances such as the "mouse device", the "internetwork" and the "Vikipedia", which he believes is named after the "intrepid explorer Teutons of old". He is flummoxed by the sight of "madwomen" walking their dogs and cleaning up after them,cannot understand why his goth scretary does not wear wholesome, colourful clothing and is impressed that Herr Starbuck has apparently taken over all the coffee houses in Berlin.

Vermes makes the most out of these scenes, but he is most incisive when he uses his character to satirize modern-day society, politics and media. On the whole, an entertaining and occasionally thought-provoking read. What is pleasantly surprising is that although the humour is probably quite culture and language-specific, the English translation is zesty, flowing and idiomatic. Kudos to Jamie Bulloch for this. ( )