Europe Central

National Book Award Winner

Look inside
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

A daring literary masterpiece of historical fiction that weaves together the gripping stories of those caught in the web of authoritarian rule.


Through interwoven narratives that paint a portrait of 20th century Germany and the USSR and the monstrous age they defined, Europe Central captures a chorus of voices both real and fictional—a young German who joins the SS to fight its crimes, two generals who collaborate with the enemy for different reasons, and the tumultuous life of Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich amidst Stalinist oppression. 

In this magnificent work of fiction, acclaimed author William T. Vollmann turns his trenchant eye on these two authoritarian cultures to render a mesmerizing perspective on human experience during wartime.
  • WINNER
    National Book Award
William T. Vollmann has won the Whiting Foundation Award and the Shiva Naipaul Memorial Award for his fiction. View titles by William T. Vollmann

About

WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

A daring literary masterpiece of historical fiction that weaves together the gripping stories of those caught in the web of authoritarian rule.


Through interwoven narratives that paint a portrait of 20th century Germany and the USSR and the monstrous age they defined, Europe Central captures a chorus of voices both real and fictional—a young German who joins the SS to fight its crimes, two generals who collaborate with the enemy for different reasons, and the tumultuous life of Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich amidst Stalinist oppression. 

In this magnificent work of fiction, acclaimed author William T. Vollmann turns his trenchant eye on these two authoritarian cultures to render a mesmerizing perspective on human experience during wartime.

Awards

  • WINNER
    National Book Award

Author

William T. Vollmann has won the Whiting Foundation Award and the Shiva Naipaul Memorial Award for his fiction. View titles by William T. Vollmann

Horror Titles for the Halloween Season

In celebration of the Halloween season, we are sharing horror books that are aligned with the themes of the holiday: the sometimes unknown and scary creatures and witches. From classic ghost stories and popular novels that are celebrated today, in literature courses and beyond, to contemporary stories about the monsters that hide in the dark, our list

Read more

Books for LGBTQIA+ History Month

For LGBTQIA+ History Month in October, we’re celebrating the shared history of individuals within the community and the importance of the activists who have fought for their rights and the rights of others. We acknowledge the varying and diverse experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community that have shaped history and have led the way for those

Read more