Der Abschied

By Lothar-Günther Buchheim
(The Parting)
2002, Piper Verlag, München
ISBN 3492235727
Paperback, 560 pages
The book is a fiction
book is in German language

Descripton: This novel describes the journey Buchheim and Lehmann-Willenbrock make on the nuclear research vessel Otto Hahn from Rotterdam to Cape Town. It is the last journey for the ship - which will be scrapped - as well as for the captain, der Alte, who will retire after this mission. The book is interesting for Das Boot or Die Festung readers, because it wraps up the story of the friendship between Leutnant Werner (Buchheim) and der Alte (Lehmann-Willenbrock). The description of their chats in the evenings gives a nice insight into the life of Lehmann-Willenbrock during the last stages of the war and the time after that. This book is a must for every Das Boot fan, although it is not as exciting as Das Boot or Die Festung.