Erwin Strittmatter is one of the most significant authors of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). According to Bertolt Brecht, he rose not so much from the proletariat as with it. Strittmatter is that rarest of authors who manages to be just far enough ahead of his time to stretch his audience but not enough to leave them behind or alienate them. Few writers have provoked as many discussions involving all levels of society, from farmers' letters published in local newspapers to members of the upper echelons of the Socialist Unity Party (SED) expressing themselves in specialized journals with limited circulation. Most of the responses have been positive, and Strittmatter's popularity is reflected in national prizes, translations, and a critical interest which has accompanied his publications since the early 1950s. He has proven himself a sympathetic and perceptive critic of his own evolving society in many genres. His strength...