Dirty Snow

Just finished Dirty Snow by Georges Simenon. Its a dark novel, taking place in an occupied country at the time of World War II. At the end of the novel is Tucson 20 March 1948. In the New York Review book edition that I am reading is an afterward by William T. Vollmann. He explains why we read such dark novels. I am struck by Vollman's remarks about the protangonist, Frank Friedmaier. "But how immensely human he is! Here is Simenon's genius." And what he remarks has terrifing relevance for today, where violence is such a given in parts of our cities, and it makes no sense. Vollmann says, "Franks wants to be recognized. He wants to be known. He scarcely knows himself, or anything else worth knowing." Later he reflects on Frank's mother..."she is a major factor in his spoiling. She has fed him with the corruption he regurgitates, which is why, as I said, he wants to be hated-a surefire way to get others to see him, to be real, to actually catch the eye..." Well, now that I have read it, and it is a depressing book to read, I think about its value. the value of the book for literature's sake. It does let us into the mind of a dark, evil person, who is living in a godless society, full of oppressive people, only Holst is redeemed or redeeming. He doesn't speak until the end of the book, he exposes his pain, and he sees Frank for the boy-man who is lost and needs saving. He is human, and has a forgiving quality, but it is all for the sake of his daughter, Sissy. He would do anything for Sissy, and he does. Would this be a good book for violent prone inner city young adults to read? Could they see themselves? Has this been thought of before? Who has used this novel in high schools? I guess I think that violence is our greatest problem in this society. And I don't know how to stop it. And I certainly am not the only one thinking about this. I grieve for all the families who lose a family member through violence, and the resulting incarceration.