Cat and Mouse: The Second of the Butz Trilogy

Author: (German) Grass (Grass/G.) / Cai Hongjun / Shi Yanzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This book is the second part of "The Danzig Trilogy." When it was published in Germany, it sparked a debate about "art and pornography." Some criticized the "sexual misconduct in the army" depicted in the book, claiming that "the erotic descriptions are harmful to teenagers" and that it "should be placed on the banned books list." However, most opinions held that it "belongs to the realm of art and helps enrich people's artistic appreciation." It is now included in the elective curriculum of German secondary schools.
A physically impaired teenager named Marko is constantly mocked and ridiculed by his classmates, which makes him feel inferior. Yet, he is also a determined individual. To become the "hero" in his peers' eyes, he dedicates himself to rigorous training in gymnastics, swimming, and diving, earning their admiration. This inflates his ego to the point where he steals a medal from a naval officer returning to school for a presentation and wears it. After the incident, he is expelled from school.
Later, he joins the military, where he works diligently and tirelessly, earning the favor of a military officer's wife. However, under her seduction, he engages in a relationship with her, and the affair is eventually exposed, leading to disciplinary action. Yet, his quick wit allows him to discover an enemy underground warehouse in a pond shortly after, for which he is decorated again for his bravery.
Later, he joins the tank corps and destroys numerous Soviet tanks in combat, earning a genuine medal. To restore his reputation, he requests to return to his alma mater to give a "heroic deeds" presentation, only to be rejected by the principal. With his dream of returning home in glory shattered, he disappears from public view forever.