Robert Grötzsch’s "Tormann Bobby" (1938), written in exile, follows a young footballer amid tensions of capitalism, belonging, and fascism. Republished this summer @fesonline.bsky.social with my intro on refugees, soccer and social justice.
Podcast interview: pivoundklobasa.de/36-das-abent...
It was originally published in Bratislava in 1936 under the title "Wir suchen ein Land: Roman einer Emigration."I had the privilege of contributing an introduction to this remarkable and still highly unusual early reflection on the transit experiences of political exiles fleeing Nazi persecution.
The novel captures the uncertainty and in-betweenness of exile, while also conveying themes of solidarity, self-empowerment, and hope.
Many thanks to Zuzana Schwarzová for the fantastic translation, and to Thomas Oellermann for making this publication possible.
