Metropolis

Philip Kerr wrote 14 books in the Bernie Gunther series set in Berlin in the late 1920s until after the Second World War. The books were not written chronologically so this title is earliest in the series although it was the final book written.

 The description of life in Berlin is an important part of Philip Kerr's novels and the reader quickly becomes aware of political tensions and unrest  in the city, particularly in regard to Jews and Communists, with the rise of the Nazi movement. These tensions also extend between members of the policeforce.

When Detective Bernie Gunther transferred to the Murder Commission a major case being investigated was the deaths of several  prostitutes who had been shot then scalped. This case was then put on hold as the bodies of a number of disabled servicemen were also discovered. As Bernie investigates he is not only attempting to identify the killer and reasons for the crimes but also has to contend with a gangster whose daughter was one of the murdered women. Discovering the identity of the killer does not solve all of Bernie's problems as he realises the mayhem that will result if the name of the killer is made public.

March Violets

In March 1933 the Nazis became the power party in the German Parliament leaving the Social Democrats very much in the minority. After this there was an influx of applications to become members of the Nazi Party and the original members of the party referred to the newcomers as March Violets. In May 1933 the Nazi Party refused to accept new members. (The History Place)

March Violets by Philip Kerr is a gritty story about the criminal scene in Berlin in 1936. Bernie Gunther, a private investigator, is summoned by the insurance company of a rich industrialist to recover precious jewels stolen from a safe at the same time that the industrialist's daughter and son-in-law were murdered. Gunther knows that he has not been told the full story but the money offered for his services is good so he accepts.

By 1936 the Nazi Party is firmly in control in the country with the population now used to displays of propaganda in the streets and on buildings, parades of soldiers in the streets and the requirement to salute. The emphasis is on the importance of being German and minority groups, particularly Jews, face discrimination. People constantly disappear in Nazi Germany and Gunther regularly takes cases attempting to locate missing persons. Women, especially married women, are discouraged from working.

However Berlin is also holding the Olympic Games so some of the propaganda posters that might offend tourists have temporarily been removed and even some previously banned books have returned to bookstores for a short time.

As the story proceeds the reader is left in no doubt about the power of the variety of gangs operating in the city as well as the power of political groups each attempting to control what is happening in their jurisdictiction and outside it. Berlin is certainly a dangerous place, especially if you are a private investigator endevouring to discover the truth.

This book is first in a series of books about Bernie Gunther.

The Teeger that Cam for his Tea

At Knox Library on Friday Aiden discovered on the shelves a picture book that he recognised but it did not look quite the same. The title was The Teeger who cam for his tea.  We decided to borrow it to have a closer look.

It is fifty years since Judith Kerr wrote and illustrated the picture book, The Tiger who came to Tea. I have a well used copy of the picture book which my children and, more recently, my grandchildren have enjoyed reading. The copy of the book with the strange title is a recent publication translated into Scots by Susan Kelpie. The illustrations and the story remain the same - it is just written in Scots.

Consequently 'Once there was a little girl called Sophie, and she was having tea with her mummy in the kitchen. Suddenly there was a ring at the door.' becomes 'There wis ainse a wee lassie cried Sophie, an ae day she was takkin her tea in the kitchen wi her mum. On a sudden there wis a chap at the door.' And so the story continues.

Having recently enjoyed reading a number of crime books by Scots author Denzil Meyrick where the speech of many of the characters is written in the Scots dialect, it was interesting to come across this well known story also in the Scots dialect.

For those who have difficuty ready the Scots dialect there is a reading of the book on YouTube - The Teeger that Cam for his Tea - You Tube. There are also a number of readings of the original version of the book on YouTube -  StorytimeAnytime - Wendy Stafford - LOL LOL (the condition of the book in this version on YouTube looks rather like our copy at home - well used and loved).

The Tiger who came to tea has also been turned into a play. In January 2015 Abby (then 4) and I went into the city on a train to to see the play at The Playhouse. The play was produced by an English Theatre Comany and the children present were thoroughly entertained with much audience participation. A great introduction to the theatre. When we left the theatre Abby informed me that the play was very funny. She later assured her grandfather that the tiger was just pretend.

When searching online I also discovered reference to a spoof on the Tiger who came to tea - this time, The teenager who came to tea by Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd, illustrated by Gillian Johnson and published in 2015. A line from this book indicates the flavour - 'But the teenager didn't take just one Pringle. He took a selfie of himself pouring a whole tube of them into his mouth, before sending it to his best mate, along with the letters LOL!'

Another adult spoof of the book appeared on the English television program, 8 out of 10 cats does Countdown when Sean Locke read his version - The tiger who came for a pint. Channel Four put this clip on Facebook in August 2016.

The tiger who came to tea was published in 1968 and was the author's first book for children. She has written many books since then but the Tiger remains a firm favourite with readers, young and old, throughout the world, not just in England.

Interview: Judith Kerr - Tiger! Tiger! Burning bright - The Guardian 29 November 2008
Book Series in Order - Judith Kerr