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The Lilac People: A Novel on Resilience and History
In the debut novel, The Lilac People (Counterpoint, April), the narrative follows a group of gay and transgender individuals in Berlin who endure the horrors of the Holocaust, only to confront further persecution from the Allied forces after the war.
The author draws inspiration from the work of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, a significant figure in sexual science in pre-Nazi Germany. The author recounts how a simple online post revealing the post-war treatment of queer and trans survivors sparked a considerable research project. This discovery led to profound revelations and ultimately contributed to the creation of The Lilac People. Although the research was extensive and challenging, the narrative developed organically, with Dr. Hirschfeld emerging as a key character.
The main character, Bertie Durchdenwald, is inspired by the real-life trans man Berthold Buttgereit. The author reflects on the process of choosing which elements of reality to weave into the fictional narrative. The characters, including Bertie, Karl, and Gert, are named to pay homage to actual survivors from the trans masculine and intersex communities during World War II. While drawing from their true-life experiences, the author seeks to honor those who survived while acknowledging that many more stories remain untold and are lost to history.
The author emphasizes the importance of illustrating the diverse impacts of war on individuals. Some characters hide away to survive, others perish in the camps, and some manage to find liberation. The author consciously avoids the notion of an “Oppression Olympics,” recognizing that under fascism, there are no true victors. It is a stark reminder that the threat of fascism looms over everyone, as oppression does not spare any identity.
Despite the historical context, the narrative resonates with contemporary discussions regarding the rights and challenges faced by America’s gay and trans communities. The author expresses concern about the ongoing setbacks to these rights, suggesting that while visible progress has been made, many in the mainstream may not realize how precarious these advancements are. The perception that LGBTQ+ individuals have “taken over the world” does not reflect reality; rather, it highlights the limit of progress in the sphere of human rights.
The Lilac People serves as a poignant exploration of grief, resilience, and the vital themes of community and solidarity in the face of oppression. The author suggests that in times of adversity, it is essential to look toward those who have faced similar challenges in the past, noting that “the ghosts of history are watching, kissing our foreheads.”
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