German author Matthias Jügler faces backlash over new book
German author Matthias Jügler has found himself at the center of controversy following the release of his novel Mayfly Season, which delves into the sensitive topic of forced adoptions in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). The book portrays a couple grappling with the grief of losing their newborn son, Daniel, and raises questions about the GDR’s practices concerning infant deaths and adoptions, reports BritPanorama.
Set in the 1970s, the story unfolds with Katrin and Hans navigating the aftermath of their son’s supposed death. Katrin believes that their child is still alive, which ultimately leads to their divorce. Decades later, Hans receives a call suggesting that Katrin’s suspicions may be valid, sparking renewed interest in their tragic history.
While Mayfly Season is a work of fiction, it draws from real allegations that the GDR habitually declared newborns dead to facilitate adoptions. This practice has been a point of contention, with Jügler citing conversations he has had with officials and advocates regarding historical human rights abuses associated with the regime.
After the book’s publication in Germany in 2022, Jügler received a message from the Bundestag, prompting a discussion about the sources he used for his narrative. “I felt I had to justify myself for writing this book,” he recalls, reflecting on the reaction of those in power who criticized his work as potentially harmful to grieving parents.
Critics, including a prominent politician, claimed that Jügler’s novel could retraumatize families who suffered loss, stating that there is no concrete evidence supporting the claims that infants were given to other families after being declared dead. However, Jügler points to documented cases, including that of Regina and Eike, as evidence of this tragic phenomenon.
The author, born in East Germany in 1984, was inspired to write after watching a documentary that exposed forced adoptions during the GDR era. He contends that while many Germans are aware of forced adoptions, few understand the extent of the allegations involving infants being falsely declared deceased.
Jügler’s narrative follows Hans as he confronts the weight of his past and the loss of both his son and ex-wife. Notably, Hans finds solace in nature through fly fishing, a metaphor Jügler uses to illustrate the search for lost children, equating it to the elusive nature of fish in the water.
Through advocacy connections, Jügler learned of mothers like Karin S., who experienced the trauma of believing her daughter had died shortly after birth only to later confirm through DNA testing that they were, in fact, alive. This has led Jügler to question why some within the present German government would seek to suppress discussions surrounding these historical injustices, suggesting that financial implications might be at play.
The reaction to his work has only intensified, with events like readings being marred by demands for official proof regarding the claims made in his book. Adapting to this public interest, Jügler has become increasingly vocal, participating in various media discussions about the themes and implications of Mayfly Season.
Jügler could have pursued a strictly non-fiction avenue to address these contentious topics but chose fiction to explore the emotional complexity surrounding such loss. His narrative captures the essence of longing and unresolved questions faced by families dealing with historical trauma, aiming to shed light on a painful chapter of history.
‘Mayfly Season’, translated by Jo Heinrich, is published by The Indigo Press, £12.99
