Transgenerationale Schuld in Nora Krugs graphic novel Heimat

Abstract

In the graphic novel Heimat. Ein deutsches Familienalbum (2018), the German author Nora Krug documents the analysis of her family’s history. As a member of the third generation after the Holocaust, Krug wants to find out if and in which way her grandparents were involved in the Holocaust. In addition, her research shows whether her own family’s history corresponds to Germany’s cultural history. Krug seeks to improve her understanding of her family’s relations and her ‘Heimat’. The archive is the starting point of her investigations and defines the design of the story. Heimat connects information from the archives with testimonies and memorabilia. In this fashion, Krug creates a creative treatment of the family history. Not only the archive, but also photography is significant in the design of the graphic novel. Hirsch’ theory on postmemory explains the self-representation of the family in photographs. Krugs plurimedial design of the story creates a multilayered narrative that processes the complex themes of Heimat in a sensible way.

Keywords

• memory
• holocaust
• graphic novel
• contemporary literature
• world war ii