Friedlaender, Robert Titanic: A Novel
Translated by Erna McArthur. Note that the novel was issued in the United States with the pseudonymous "Robert Prechtl" listed as its author. It was first published in German in 1937 as Titanesturz : Roman eines Zeitalters. Truly a loony work from page one, filled with bizarre characters (John Jacob Astor emerges as some sort of philosopher king) and laughably implausible descriptions of shipboard life possibly inspired by National Socialist youth rallies. His description of early morning outdoor life aboard the TITANIC in April 1912 is typical:
"It is the hour when early risers take their exercise before breakfast. The elder people canter round the promenade deck ... Marches played by the band provide the music. Beach costumes are in evidence, brightly colored pyjamas, sandals, berets ... The third-class decks presents as joyous, if not so bright, a picture. Though a few women have donned beach costumes, these do not seem quite in place. For everybody here walks barefoot and wears as few clothes as possible. Many are lying round in trunks and bathing-suits enjoying their sun-bath amidst lively laughter and shouting ... It is different again on the boat-deck. A group of vigorous boys and girls in black bathing-suits practices rhythmic gymnastics under the leadership of an instructor ... In the middle of the deck, where a place has been roped off for roller-skating, a few couples are disporting themselves without much skill. Only one short-skirted Amazon practices her figures with relentless seriousness and accuracy."!!!
Much of the novel reads as if it had been written after a overlong stay at Bayreuth, with incestuous siblings, overweening "Titans" and mysterious visitors from the netherworld (in this case, a wraith-like Chinese specter who warns John Jacob Astor not to try and obtain a fabulous -- but cursed -- jewel once owned by Alexander the Great which just happens to be up for sale in the TITANIC's jewelry shop!) Friedlaender also puts the entire White Star Line Board of Directors onboard the ship, and they have a board meeting while the ship is attempting to gain the Blue Ribband. Given the tenor of 1937 Nazi Germany, perhaps Friedlaender's strangest characterization is his rather moving depiction of the last moments of the Jewish Straus family as the TITANIC sinks beneath them. To sum up: this book is without a doubt the strangest piece of fiction written about the TITANIC, and indeed one of the most bizarre pieces of steamship fiction ever conceived. And why list it in this bibliography? Well, believe it or not, the novel was a runaway bestseller in 1940 America, going to press at least twelve times — and that must say something (I’m not sure what!) about its place in this list.