The Assault

Set in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, The Assault follows Anton Steenwijk, a young boy whose life is shattered when a resistance attack near his home triggers brutal retaliation. As Anton grows into adulthood, the trauma of that night lingers, shaping his relationships, choices, and understanding of guilt. Mulisch weaves a haunting exploration of memory and morality, asking how individuals reconcile with history’s darkest moments. The novel spans decades, tracing Anton’s journey through post-war Holland, where secrets and half-truths blur the line between victim and perpetrator. Praised for its lyrical prose and philosophical depth, The Assault is a timeless meditation on the scars wars leave behind—both on nations and the human soul.