Life Goes On: A Novel

Published when the author was just twenty-three, Life Goes On was Hans Keilson’s literary debut, an extraordinary autobiographicalnovel that paints a dark yet illuminating portrait of Germanybetween the world wars. It is the story of Herr Seldersen—a Jewish storeowner modeled on Keilson’s father, a textile merchant and decorated WorldWar I veteran—along with his wife and son, Albrecht, and the troubles theyencounter as the German economy collapses and politics turn rancid.

The book was banned by the Nazis in 1934. Shortly afterward, followinghis editor’s advice, Keilson emigrated to the Netherlands, where he wouldspend the rest of his life.

Life Goes On is an essential volume for readers of Keilson’s later work.At the age of one hundred, with his one copy of the first edition of Life Goes On in hand, Keilson told The New York Times that he would love to see hisfirst novel reissued, and translated as well. “Then you would have my wholebiography,” he told them. He died at the age of one hundred and one.