Book Blurb:
Though unexceptional in every way, Klaus Barbie, a mid-level Gestapo chief, ruled Lyon, France, like a medieval tyrant from 1942-44. Crowds parted to let him pass; a table was permanently reserved for him at Le Lapin Blanc, Lyon’s raciest nightclub; and pretty young women slipped him notes inscribed with their phone numbers. But his glory days represented only a thin slice of his life. What prepared him for his role as the so-called Butcher of Lyon, and what became of him after the war ended? In an attempt to answer these and other questions, this collection of nine wide-ranging and skillfully written stories presents Barbie in a variety of guises, from that of a vulnerable young boy, to a preening young man on the make, to an enfeebled old man forced to confront his crimes forty years after the fact. Though wars and their excesses flare up and die down, evil is always with us, promising a god-like dominion over others that seduces those who are weakest. This book is a reminder of that.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/bokvl6
Editorial Review:
"Number 12 Rue de Saint Catherine and Other Stories" by Roberta Hartling Gates is a
collection of captivating tales that explore complex themes such as love, suffering, and hope
in times of war and peace. Gates skillfully blends historical details with intimate narratives,
creating stories that not only engage readers but also offer them a profound perspective on
life and the human condition.
One of the notable stories in this collection is "Mama’s Boy," set in Udler, Germany, in the
year 1920. Here, Gates introduces us to the life of young Klaus, a sensitive boy caught
between an authoritarian father and a loving but exhausted mother. The story delicately
reveals Klaus's inner struggle as he seeks his father's affection and finds refuge in the
presence of his mother.
“For several long moments, Anna let Klaus’s question hang there, but then, pressing her lips together, she put down her rolling pin and turned to gaze at her son. He was such a sweet boy, delicate almost, and small for his age. But why, Lord, did he need to know about these things? Why, at age eight, take on all that ballast? But he had asked, and she was the sort of woman who believed you should respect children enough to answer their questions. She wiped her hands on her apron and knelt before him. “Papi does love you, you know that, don’t you?” she said, taking his hands in hers, and he nodded, urged on, she supposed, by the tone of her voice. “It’s just his wound that’s the problem. It hurts him and then he gets cross.”
This passage underscores Klaus's emotional dilemma and the familial tension caused by his
father's unhealed wounds, both physical and emotional. His father's unresolved war injuries
not only cause him physical pain but also deepen the rift between him and his son, turning
every interaction into a battleground of resentments and misunderstandings.
The book is a profound exploration of the war's impact on families and how trauma can shape
relationships. Gates manages to present these themes with a delicacy and depth that leave a
lasting impression on readers. The author's narrative style is remarkable, and her ability to
create complex and believable characters is evident in every story in this collection.
The above excerpt introduces us to Klaus's world, a young man ambitious but discouraged by
the financial and social realities of his family. In a discussion with his uncle Karl, Klaus is
confronted with the harsh reality of his limited opportunities to attend university due to his
parents' financial troubles. This moment of crisis becomes even more pressing when his uncle
proposes what seems like a saving solution: support for the Nazi Party. Karl promises him
that once the Nazis come to power, everything will change for the better, offering Klaus the
chance to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer. However, Klaus is skeptical and aware of
the unstable political reality, which creates internal tension and intense moral debate.
Another powerful scene depicts Klaus in a difficult domestic situation, witnessing his father's
verbal and physical violence. The conflict between filial duty and disgust for his father's
behavior throws Klaus into an inner struggle. His reaction to helping his mother despite his
disdain for his father reveals the emotional complexity of the character and loyalty to the
family, despite the abuse suffered.
The story continues to explore Klaus's transformation as he becomes more deeply involved in
Nazi Party activities, as well as his interactions with characters like Olga, a young woman
employed at the SD headquarters in Paris. Here, Klaus uses his charm to gather information
and manipulate situations in his favor, demonstrating an adaptability and fluid morality
conditioned by circumstances and personal ambitions.
In another story from the collection, Josephine Butler, a former British doctor recruited for
special missions by Churchill, risks her life in occupied Paris to gather information about
Nazi movements. This dramatic encounter with the brutality of SS soldiers while carrying out
her undercover mission adds another tense and dangerous dimension to the story. In contrast
to the brutal actions of the Nazis, Gates also introduces characters like Eva Gottlieb, a young
woman struggling to survive in a world dominated by fear and loss:
“By the time Eva Gottlieb arrives at Mme Larcher’s, she’s a mess. Her hair is damp and stringy, and her shoes are so wet they squish when she walks.” This description of Eve emphasizes the fragility and vulnerability of those caught in the maelstrom of war.
The story "Collaboration" highlights the moral and emotional dilemmas people face in extreme situations, offering readers a profound insight into human psychology and the devastating effects of war on interpersonal relationships. In this chapter of the story, we meet
Marianne: “Klaus lay next to Marianne in her big bed, watching the play of shadows on the ceiling and feeling vaguely out of sorts. He’d met Marianne at the end of 1942 when she’d barged into his oce wearing a full-length mink and demanding a pass to visit her sister in Paris. She was older than Klaus by a good ten or fteen years, but she wasn’t bad looking (French women of her class never were), so when she invited him for dinner, he accepted without knowing quite what to expect. The meal had been excellent, though, and what followed was even better. In fact, she’d shown him a very good time. But that was six months ago, and the enthusiasm she’d exhibited then had pretty much worn off.”
Klaus feels dissatisfied in the company of Marianne, an older woman who entered his life six
months ago, requesting a permit to visit her sister in Paris. Their relationship started with
enthusiasm and passion, but now it has become a source of frustration for Klaus. On the
evening the story begins, after a successful dinner with roasted goose and
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Klaus feels that Marianne is not responding the same as before. Their
discussions become tense, and Klaus accuses Marianne of not showing the same enthusiasm.
As the story progresses, Marianne reflects on their relationship and her own choices.
Although she succumbed to Klaus's advances and experienced moments of pleasure, she
realizes it is only a temporary illusion. In her mind, a sense of guilt and shame arises for
compromising herself in front of the "Butcher of Lyon," as Klaus was known. She realizes
that she has sacrificed a part of herself for a relationship that, essentially, is empty and
meaningless. This story illustrates the complexity of human relationships in times of war,
where loyalties are often tested, and moral truths are ambiguous. Gates manages to create an
atmosphere charged with tension and introspection, revealing the internal struggles of her
characters.
"Number 12 Rue de Saint Catherine and Other Stories" by Roberta Hartling Gates is a
fascinating journey through the labyrinth of history and the human soul. Through her rich
narrative and memorable characters, Gates offers a captivating perspective on the complexity
of emotions and human relationships in a challenging context. The book succeeds in
revealing the secrets and sacrifices behind personal stories, as illustrated in the chosen quote,
representative of the author's ability to captivate and maintain suspense until the last page.
The diverse approach to historical context and characters seems to imbue the book with
uniqueness and depth, offering a fresh perspective on familiar events and situations.
The stories in this collection are a fascinating exploration of human psychology in the face of
adversity and evil, providing an emotional perspective on the lives of those affected by Nazi
occupation. Roberta Hartling Gates skillfully blends historical elements with fictional
narratives, creating a complex mosaic of human courage and resilience in the face of
darkness. Thus, "Number 12 Rue de Saint Catherine and Other Stories" remains an essential
read for those eager to explore the depths and contradictions of humanity in times of crisis
and conflict.
*****
“Number 12 Rue Sainte-Catherine and Other Stories” by Roberta Hartling Gates receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
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