Stadt ohne Juden

Stadt ohne Juden, written by Hugo Bettauer in 1922, is a satirical novel addressing the antisemitism prevalent in 1920s Europe. The story unfolds in Vienna, where Jews are given until the end of the year to leave Austria, leading to initial celebrations that quickly turn to despair as the economy and culture decline. Central to the narrative is the love story between Lotte and Leo, a Jew who must leave but returns in disguise to win back both Lotte and his homeland. The novel serves as a prescient commentary on the consequences of exclusionary policies, foreshadowing the tragic realities that would emerge in the following decades.