I’d picked up ‘What Became of Gunner Asch’ by H H Kirst at a small raddiwallah shop – hadn’t heard of the author or the book but the back cover looked promising:

Gunner Asch, yesterday’s scourge of the Nazi war effort, is now a respectable civilian. But his appetite for trouble is as strong as ever, as the local military discover.

Major Bornekamp, of the blood and iron school, is Asch’s favourite target.

Lieutenant von Strackmann, a blockhead of the old sort, falls into every trap Asch lays for him.

Ably assisted by Lance-Corporal Kamnitzer, today’s faulty cog in the military machine, Mayor Asch once again demonstrates his talent for disrupting the German army.

‘Funny, sad…Kamnitzer and Asch are splendid creatures.’ – Daily Telegraph
‘Brilliantly funny.’ – Observer

When I finally dipped into it, I found that the blurb did not mislead. Isn’t it fun when you just chance upon a battered gem? ‘Funny, sad’ and brilliantly translated, I’m glad I stumbled upon this book. This is the fourth and last book in the Gunner Asch series, and Asch doesn’t feature as prominently as one would expect from the blurb. It’s the audacious and quick-witted Lance-Corporal Karl Kamnitzer who steals the show – a ‘splendid creature’ he certainly is! I’d definitely like to read the rest of the series!

[NB. While reading the book, my progress was severely impeded by two pesky young creatures alternately hovering over the book ever since I started it. Thus:

Imp 1: Mama, why is the cover like that? The woman is real but not the other two.
Me: Haven’t the foggiest. Maybe the cover designer thought it would look interesting.

***
Imp 2: Ma, why are two of the people cartoons and one not a cartoon?
Me: Probably a sneaky plan to get people wondering why he/she did that.

***
Imp 1: Mama, look at her! Why isn’t she wearing proper clothes?
Me: She’s probably a barmaid at a dubious joint.

***
Imp 2: Who is Gunner Asch?
Me: No idea. Just started it.

***
Imp 1: Ma, look, the foam isn’t equal. Why isn’t she giving them equal quantities of froth?
Me: I don’t think she did it on purpose. She just filled the tankards equally and some got more froth than others.

***
Imp 2: That’s beer. Beer is frothy. Wine isn’t frothy. Captain Haddock drinks whiskey and rum.
Me: Yes. Don’t go around talking about it.

***
Imp 1: Ma, may I read it?
Me: No, it’s got adult stuff in it.
Imp 1: May I read the blurb?
Me: Yes.
Imp 1: I already read the blurb, heehee.
Me: Smartypants. Go do your homework.

***
Imp 2: Ma…
Me: Finished your homework? Scoot! Go do it!

***
And peace reigns (for a while!)].