The USC Libraries have published a new edition of Lion Feuchtwanger’s memoir The Devil in France, an account of the German-Jewish novelist’s internment and escape from Nazi-occupied France. The book is now available for free to members of the USC community at eleven University Park Campus libraries. (See below for a list of locations.)
The new edition includes refinements to the original English translation, out of print since 1941. The book also features illustrations by USC School of Architecture students and a never-before-published account by Marta Feuchtwanger of her and her husband’s escape from Europe.
Feuchtwanger (1884-1958) was an internationally renowned historical novelist whose outspoken criticism of Hitler and National Socialism made him an enemy of the state when the Nazis assumed power in Germany in 1933. Driven into exile in France, he was imprisoned by French authorities at the outbreak of World War II. The Devil in France: is Feuchtwanger’s account of his imprisonment.
After escaping from Europe, the Feuchtwangers moved to Villa Aurora, a house in Pacific Palisades that soon became a hub for German émigrés living in Los Angeles. Shortly after Lion's death in 1958, his wife Marta donated their estate, including an impressive 30,000 volume library, to USC. The author’s collection became the Feuchtwanger Memorial Library, which today is housed on the second floor of Doheny Library.
To commemorate publication of The Devil in France, the USC Libraries have partnered with Visions and Voices to organize "Enemy Number One," a series of two events inspired by the book. The first, a panel discussion about censorship, political repression, and writing in exile, will take place on September 29 at noon in the Doheny Library’s Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall. The second, a tour and performance at Villa Aurora, will be held October 26 at noon and is open to current USC students only. Exiles Study Librarian Michaela Ullmann has written LibGuides for both the panel discussion and tour events.
The Devil in France is now available at several USC University Park Campus libraries. Pick up your complimentary copy from the circulation desk at any of the following locations: