“ Germans and irony
Not speaking German, nor watching much German TV, nor having read any German literature apart from Bernard Schlink who, let me tell you, is about as ironic as a dog chasing a squirrel, it’s difficult to tell whether or not there’s any truth in the rumour that they have no sense of irony. However, since they invented it (well, they invented Schlegel), it’s more than likely that they’ve got plenty. To anyone who thinks I’m insufficiently bigoted, I have serious doubts about the French.
Not speaking German, nor watching much German TV, nor having read any German literature apart from Bernard Schlink who, let me tell you, is about as ironic as a dog chasing a squirrel, it’s difficult to tell whether or not there’s any truth in the rumour that they have no sense of irony. However, since they invented it (well, they invented Schlegel), it’s more than likely that they’ve got plenty. To anyone who thinks I’m insufficiently bigoted, I have serious doubts about the French.
— Zoe Williams - The final irony
