Hubert Mingarelli; trans. Sam Taylor
A Meal in Winter by Hubert Mingarelli, translated from the French by Sam Taylor, is set in Poland during World War II. Three German soldiers, one of whom is the first-person narrator, set off from their camp on a mission. As they trudge through the frozen landscape, clambering knee-deep in snow, the nature of their mission gradually becomes clear. They are to search for Jews and bring them back to camp for execution.
After trudging for several hours, they finally locate a young man hiding in the forest. They take him prisoner and decide to spend the night in an abandoned house before heading back to camp. They are joined by a Polish soldier who makes his distaste for Jews obvious. The soldiers turn their focus on cooking a meal with the bits and pieces of food they have salvaged. They share the food with the Polish soldier, and after much debate, they invite the Jewish prisoner to share the meal. But when one of the soldiers suggests they release the prisoner, they are forced to confront a moral dilemma. If they return to camp empty-handed, they will be required to participate in the execution squad. If they turn in the prisoner, they will be tormented by the knowledge they were responsible for killing an innocent man with whom they had once shared a meal.
This very simple plot told in straightforward, declarative sentences has a profound impact. The simplicity of the story, the camaraderie of the three soldiers, and their mundane preoccupation with preparing a meal is in stark contrast with the horror of their actions. The soldiers share a bond and have a common outlook. Their conversation as they trudge through the snow reflects their compassion and concern for each other. They have depth. Their humanity toward one another shines through. But this only serves to accentuate the magnitude and chilling horror of what they do as members of a death squad.
For such a short, understated work, this novella packs a potent punch in its exploration of complex moral dilemmas. Through contrast and irony, it illustrates the process of othering. Exposure to violence and barbarism in war desensitizes and gradually erodes a person’s own humanity. Normal people, capable of demonstrating concern and compassion for one another, are also capable of so distancing themselves from others that they no longer perceive them as human. They deny the other any vestige of humanity. But to do so, they must suppress a part of their own humanity and smother the ravages of their guilty conscience.
A simple story, simply told, but with a very powerful impact. Brilliant, concise, dark, and chilling.
Highly recommended.