The Accordionist

This section gave a consummate backstory to Hans Hubermann. It starts with how he had cheated Death the first time, which was by writing letters instead of going to war. This I found was heartbreaking, as the person who got him to write those letters died that day, the same way Hans would have died. As if this wasn't enough, this section tacks on what happens when Hans returns from the war, and gives his respects to Erik Vandenburg, primarily to return the accordion that he left behind, and used to teach Hans. He even finds out he has a son, named Max, which at this point I am overwhelmed by all of the feelings. Then came the beginning of Hitler's reign. This part mostly focused on Hans' application to the Nazi Party, for which he was put on the waiting list. Finally, this section ends with June 16, 1939, the day when he met Walter Kugler, the man introduced in an earlier section. Overall, everything now is connecting like puzzle pieces, and everything is also packed with feelings as well as details.