Young Adolf was published in 1978 and was Beryl Bainbridge’s first and only historical novel until the 1990s. Many its characters are inspired by real people: besides the protagonist Adolf Hitler, there is his half-brother Alois, Alois’ English wife Bridget and their baby Pat. Some other names mentioned in the novel - mainly those of relatives of the future dictator, such as his brother Edwin or his half-sister Angela - are also those of real historical people. Other important but fictional characters are Meyer, the Jewish landlord and future friend of Adolf, Mary O’Leary, another tenant, Dr Kephalus, a somewhat mysterious doctor and friend of Meyer’s, Mr Dupont, a guest at the Adelphi Hotel, and

This article in full comprises 2544 words but only the first 150 or so words are available to non-members.

All our articles have been written recently by experts in their field, more than 95% of them university professors. To read about membership, please click here.

Published 25 February 2007

Citation: Hiltl, Markus. "Young Adolf". The Literary Encyclopedia. 25 February 2007.
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=8912, accessed 20 November 2009.]