'Stadt ohne Juden' Summary

In Hugo Bettauer's satirical novel, "Stadt ohne Juden", Vienna undergoes a radical transformation: all Jewish citizens are expelled. At first, the city revels in its newfound 'purity', but the joy is short-lived. Without the Jewish population, the economy stagnates, the arts wither, and Vienna descends into a stifling conformity. Amidst this fabricated utopia, a poignant love story unfolds between Lotte and Leo, who is forced to leave Vienna due to his Jewish heritage. Leo, driven by love and a desire to reclaim his home, returns in disguise, seeking to rebuild Vienna and win back Lotte. However, his journey is fraught with challenges, forcing him to confront the prejudices of the society he seeks to change. Through biting satire, Bettauer paints a chilling portrait of a world devoid of diversity and exposes the devastating consequences of hatred and intolerance.