I picked up 'Junge Triebe' knowing nothing about the author, Ernst W. Freissler. Published in 1926, it's a novel that feels like it was written with one eye on the turbulent past and one on an uncertain future.

The Story

We follow Fritz, a teenager adrift in Germany after the First World War. The country is bruised, humiliated, and searching for answers. Fritz finds his in a nationalist youth group. At first, it's all camaraderie, hiking trips, and a sense of purpose. But the group's ideology starts to harden. We see Fritz pulled between his old life—his worried mother, his more skeptical friends—and the intoxicating new identity the group offers. The conflict isn't loud; it's the slow, chilling process of a young mind being shaped.

Why You Should Read It

This book got under my skin. Freissler doesn't write villains in capes; he writes believable young people looking for a place to fit in. Reading it now, you can't help but see parallels. It's a stark, human look at how radical ideas take root, not through force, but through friendship, pride, and the promise of belonging. It made me think about my own time in a deeper way.

Final Verdict

This is a book for readers who like historical fiction that connects directly to the present. It's perfect for anyone interested in the human stories behind political movements, or for book clubs looking for a serious discussion starter. It's not a breezy escape—it's a thoughtful, sometimes uncomfortable mirror. If you're curious about the seeds of the 20th century's darkest chapters, seen through the eyes of an ordinary boy, 'Junge Triebe' is a forgotten novel that deserves a fresh look.