BookBrief
The Assault by Harry Mulisch, book cover

The Assault Summary

by Harry Mulisch

3.73 Goodreads · 11k ratingsHistorical Fiction185 pages19-min summary

After Nazis burn his family home in retaliation for a collaborator's assassination, a young boy's attempt at a normal life is haunted by the past, forcing him to face the truth of that night in occupied Holland.

As an Amazon Associate, BookBrief earns from qualifying purchases. How we're funded

By BookBrief EditorialPublished February 2026How we write summaries

Synopsis

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

In the winter of 1945, during the final days of WWII in occupied Holland, a Nazi collaborator is assassinated. In retaliation, the Germans burn down the Steenwijk family home, leaving only twelve-year-old Anton alive. Anton is deeply affected and spends his life trying to forget the incident, choosing a seemingly normal existence with a marriage, a successful career, and a quiet demeanor. However, the past keeps returning through memories and chance encounters with people connected to the assassination and its aftermath. These encounters, including meeting Cor Takes, the son of the assassinated collaborator, and ultimately Truus Coster, make Anton confront the truth of that night in 1945 and accept the complex realities of his past.
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Slow
Mood
Reflective, Somber, Thought-provoking, Melancholy
Read it if
You are interested in the long-term psychological impact of war and historical events on an individual's life, and enjoy contemplative historical fiction.
Skip it if
You prefer fast-paced action or a straightforward narrative without moral ambiguities.

The Assault Plot Summary

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

  1. The Assault on the Steenwijk Family

    In January 1945, during the final months of World War II, twelve-year-old Anton Steenwijk plays a board game with his family in their Haarlem villa. Outside, a notorious Dutch Nazi collaborator, Fake Ploeg, is shot and killed on his bicycle. Peter Korteweg, the Steenwijks' neighbor, moves the body from in front of his own house to the Steenwijks' property. German soldiers soon arrive and find Ploeg's body. In retaliation, they set the Steenwijk house on fire. Anton's parents and older brother, Peter, are taken away and executed. Anton is separated from his family and watches his home burn, beginning his lifelong struggle with the past.

  2. The Bunker and the Mysterious Woman

    After his family's execution and the destruction of his home, Anton is put in a dark bunker, a cell in a local police station. He is not alone; a woman is also there. Her presence is both scary and comforting. She speaks to him in the dark, offering comfort and defiance against their captors, though he does not know her identity. She tells him he will one day be avenged. This short, intense meeting leaves a lasting impression on Anton, shaping his early understanding of resistance and loss. He is later taken away, leaving the woman behind, and eventually brought to his uncle and aunt's home in Amsterdam.

  3. Life with Uncle and Aunt

    Anton moves in with his uncle and aunt in Amsterdam, where he tries to forget the memories of that night. He avoids thinking about the war and his family's fate, focusing instead on his studies and creating a seemingly normal, if somewhat passive, life. His relatives, though caring, do not push him to talk about his trauma, which unintentionally reinforces his strategy of repression. Anton does well in school, eventually pursuing a career in medicine, a deliberate choice to distance himself from the chaos and violence of his past. This period sets his lifelong pattern of emotional detachment and a desire for an uneventful life.

  4. Encounter with Cor Takes

    Years later, in 1956, during a student protest against the Soviet invasion of Hungary, Anton, now a medical student, meets Cor Takes. Takes, a former resistance fighter, recognizes Anton from the night of the assault. They briefly discuss the events of January 1945. Takes reveals his part in Fake Ploeg's assassination, confirming Anton's long-held suspicion that the murder was a deliberate act of resistance. This encounter breaks Anton's carefully built facade of indifference, making him face the reality of his past and the individuals directly involved in the cause of his family's tragedy. He learns that Takes was driven by a strong sense of justice.

  5. The Funeral of Mr. Korteweg

    In 1966, Anton attends the funeral of Mr. Korteweg, his former neighbor in Haarlem. There, he meets Karin Korteweg, Mr. Korteweg's daughter, whom he remembers from childhood. Their conversation brings back the night of the assault clearly. Karin reveals that her father, Mr. Korteweg, moved Fake Ploeg's body from their house to the Steenwijks' property. She explains her father's desperate, misguided attempt to save his own family, an act that directly caused the Steenwijks' destruction. This revelation adds another layer of complexity and moral ambiguity to Anton's understanding of the events, challenging his simple view of perpetrators and victims.

  6. Anton's First Marriage

    Anton marries Saskia, a woman he meets at university. They have a daughter named Sandra. Anton tries to maintain a seemingly normal family life, but his past trauma subtly affects his relationships. He remains emotionally distant, finding it hard to fully connect or express deep feelings. Saskia senses his guardedness but does not fully understand the depth of his unresolved history. Sandra represents a new generation, untouched by the war, and Anton hopes to shield her from its shadows. Despite his efforts, the unaddressed trauma subtly affects their family life, a silent reminder of the events of 1945.

  7. Meeting with Fake Ploeg Jr.

    At a party, Anton unexpectedly meets Fake Ploeg Jr., the son of the Nazi collaborator whose assassination caused the retaliatory burning of the Steenwijk home. Fake Jr. is a right-wing extremist who still praises his father's actions and blames the resistance for his death. Their encounter is tense and confrontational. Fake Jr. expresses his bitter anger towards the resistance fighters and those who, in his view, unjustly condemned his father. This meeting makes Anton confront the lasting effects of the war and the deeply divided viewpoints that still exist, showing how hatred can repeat and how difficult true reconciliation is.

  8. Anton's Second Marriage and Career

    After Saskia's untimely death, Anton remarries Liesbeth. He continues his successful career as an anesthesiologist, a profession he chose for its precision and detachment, further strengthening his emotional distance. Despite building a new family and professional life, Anton's internal struggle with the past continues. He still avoids directly confronting the trauma, choosing a controlled and predictable existence. His second marriage, like his first, is marked by his quiet reserve. He cares for his children but maintains an emotional barrier, a coping mechanism developed after the assault. The war's shadow, though unseen, continues to influence his every interaction.

  9. The Peace Demonstration and Truus Coster

    In 1981, Anton takes part in a large anti-nuclear weapons demonstration in Amsterdam. In the crowd, he meets Cor Takes again. Takes, now older and more thoughtful, tells the full story of the assassination and, importantly, the identity of the woman in the bunker: Truus Coster. Truus was a resistance fighter, Takes's comrade, and the true leader behind the operation. He explains that she was executed shortly after their shared confinement. This final revelation gives Anton the missing piece of his traumatic puzzle, putting a name and a face to the defiant voice that offered him comfort and hope in his darkest hour. Her image, previously anonymous, now becomes clear.

  10. Truus Coster's Story and Anton's Acceptance

    Cor Takes recounts Truus Coster's bravery, her dedication to the resistance, and her execution by the Germans. He explains the moral dilemmas resistance fighters faced, including the difficult decision to assassinate Fake Ploeg, knowing the potential for brutal retaliation. Learning Truus's story, her courage, and her ultimate sacrifice, allows Anton to finally process the events of that night. He understands that the assault was not a random act of cruelty but a tragic consequence of war and resistance. This understanding brings some peace, allowing Anton to integrate his past into his present, rather than constantly suppress it. He finally begins to accept the deep and complex impact of the war on his life.

The Assault Characters

Anton Steenwijk

Protagonist

A man haunted by a childhood trauma during World War II.

Anton is a Dutch man who, at age twelve, survived the massacre of his family by German forces in retaliation for the assassination of a Nazi collaborator. He spends much of his adult life trying to repress this traumatic event, seeking a 'normal' existence through a successful career as an anesthesiologist and two marriages. He is intelligent, reserved, and initially emotionally detached, using his passive nature as a shield against the pain of his past. His journey is one of gradual, often reluctant, confrontation with the truth of that night.

Relationships: Peter Steenwijk (Older brother, executed); Saskia Steenwijk (First wife, deceased); Sandra Steenwijk (Daughter from first marriage); Liesbeth Steenwijk (Second wife); Cor Takes (Resistance fighter, provides key information); Truus Coster (Resistance fighter, woman in bunker, source of comfort and mystery); Mr. Korteweg (Neighbor who moved the body, indirectly caused family's death); Karin Korteweg (Neighbor's daughter, provides information about her father's actions); Fake Ploeg Jr. (Son of the murdered collaborator, represents opposing perspective)

Truus Coster

Supporting

A defiant resistance fighter who offers Anton solace in the bunker.

Truus Coster is a brave and committed Dutch resistance fighter. She is the mysterious woman Anton encounters in the dark bunker after his family's execution. Though her identity is unknown to him at the time, her words of defiance, comfort, and hope leave an indelible mark on his young mind. She represents the moral complexities and sacrifices of the resistance movement. Her ultimate fate – execution by the Germans – is revealed to Anton much later, solidifying her as a symbol of tragic heroism and the human cost of war. She is a figure of both strength and vulnerability.

Relationships: Anton Steenwijk (Brief, impactful encounter in bunker; source of comfort for Anton); Cor Takes (Fellow resistance fighter and lover)

Cor Takes

Supporting

A former resistance fighter involved in Fake Ploeg's assassination.

Cor Takes is a Dutch resistance fighter who, along with Truus Coster, was responsible for the assassination of Fake Ploeg. He is a gruff, intense man, deeply marked by his wartime experiences and his role in the resistance. He encounters Anton at different points in his life, gradually revealing more details about the events of 1945. Takes carries the burden of his past actions but believes in the justice of his cause. He represents the active, often morally ambiguous, side of wartime resistance and provides Anton with crucial pieces of the puzzle surrounding his family's tragedy.

Relationships: Anton Steenwijk (Informant and fellow survivor of the war's aftermath); Truus Coster (Fellow resistance fighter and lover)

Fake Ploeg

Antagonist (posthumous)

The Dutch Nazi collaborator whose assassination triggers the novel's central tragedy.

Fake Ploeg is the notorious Dutch Nazi collaborator whose murder by the resistance sets in motion the entire plot of 'The Assault.' Though he is killed in the opening pages, his presence looms large over the entire narrative. He embodies the collaborationist element within occupied Holland and represents the immediate catalyst for Anton's family's destruction. His death, a deliberate act of resistance, highlights the brutal retaliatory policies of the German occupation and the moral dilemmas faced by those living under it. His legacy is also explored through his son, Fake Ploeg Jr.

Relationships: Fake Ploeg Jr. (Son who glorifies his father's memory); Cor Takes (His assassin)

Mr. Korteweg

Supporting

Anton's neighbor who moved Fake Ploeg's body, inadvertently condemning the Steenwijks.

Mr. Korteweg is Anton's neighbor in Haarlem. In a desperate act of self-preservation, he moves Fake Ploeg's body from in front of his own house to the Steenwijks' property. This decision, while understandable from a survivalist perspective, directly leads to the Steenwijk family's execution. He represents the moral compromises and difficult choices made by ordinary people during wartime. His actions underscore the chain reaction of unintended consequences and the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator in extraordinary circumstances. He lives with the guilt of his actions, which is later passed on to his daughter, Karin.

Relationships: Anton Steenwijk (Victim of his desperate act); Karin Korteweg (Daughter, who later explains his actions)

Karin Korteweg

Supporting

Mr. Korteweg's daughter, who reveals her father's role in the assault.

Karin Korteweg is the daughter of Anton's former neighbor, Mr. Korteweg. She encounters Anton years after the war at her father's funeral. Karin is burdened by the knowledge of her father's actions on the night of the assault—that he moved Fake Ploeg's body to the Steenwijks' house to save his own family. She represents the next generation grappling with the moral ambiguities and hidden truths of the war. Her confession to Anton provides him with a crucial, painful piece of information, forcing him to re-evaluate his understanding of that night and the motivations behind human actions during extreme duress.

Relationships: Anton Steenwijk (Gives Anton key information about the assault); Mr. Korteweg (Her father, whose actions she explains)

Fake Ploeg Jr.

Supporting

The son of the murdered collaborator, who remains loyal to his father's memory.

Fake Ploeg Jr. is the son of the assassinated Nazi collaborator. He appears as an adult, years after the war, holding onto a distorted and bitter view of his father's legacy. He believes his father was a patriot and a victim of unjust assassination, blaming the resistance for his death and the subsequent suffering of his own family. He represents the unrepentant, revisionist perspective of some who were aligned with the Nazi regime or suffered its consequences. His encounter with Anton highlights the enduring divisions and unhealed wounds left by the war, showing how different individuals continue to interpret the past through their own suffering and ideology.

Relationships: Anton Steenwijk (Ideological antagonist, represents the opposing side of the conflict); Fake Ploeg (His father, whose memory he defends)

Saskia Steenwijk

Supporting

Anton's first wife and mother of his daughter.

Saskia is Anton's first wife. She is a kind and loving woman who marries Anton and has a daughter, Sandra, with him. While she provides Anton with a sense of normalcy and family life, she remains largely unaware of the depth of his repressed trauma. Her presence in Anton's life represents his attempt to build a conventional, untroubled future, free from the shadows of the past. Her early death is another loss for Anton, reinforcing his pattern of experiencing profound grief, though he continues to maintain his emotional detachment even in mourning.

Relationships: Anton Steenwijk (Wife); Sandra Steenwijk (Daughter)

The Assault Themes

The Burden of the Past and Memory

The novel explores how the past, especially traumatic events, affects and haunts a person's entire life. Anton's initial strategy of repression and denial shows the human tendency to avoid painful memories. However, through chance encounters and revelations, the past keeps returning, forcing Anton to face the truth. The story illustrates that true healing is not about forgetting, but about understanding and integrating the past into one's identity. The war's legacy affects not just Anton, but also the Kortewegs, Cor Takes, and Fake Ploeg Jr., showing how collective memory is shaped by individual experiences and viewpoints.

“'The past is not a wound, it's a hole. A void. And in that void, everything that was, is still there, not gone, not forgotten, just unseen.”
Narrator (paraphrased)

Guilt, Responsibility, and Moral Ambiguity

The story looks at the complex nature of guilt and responsibility during wartime. Mr. Korteweg's act of moving Fake Ploeg's body, while an attempt to save his own family, directly leads to the Steenwijks' death, highlighting the moral compromises made under pressure. The resistance fighters, Cor Takes and Truus Coster, are responsible for an act they knew would provoke retaliation, raising questions about whether such actions are justified. The novel avoids simple answers, presenting a world where heroes and villains are not always clear, and where seemingly innocent actions can have devastating consequences, leaving a lasting moral mark on everyone involved.

“What if everything you've ever believed about good and evil, about right and wrong, was based on a lie, or at least on an incomplete truth?”
Cor Takes

The Nature of Justice and Retaliation

The central event of the novel—Fake Ploeg's assassination and the subsequent German retaliation—raises questions about justice, revenge, and the cycle of violence. The resistance fighters believe they are enacting justice against a collaborator, but their act leads to innocent deaths. The Germans' retaliation is a brutal act of collective punishment. The story explores how these acts, meant to restore balance or assert power, often continue a chain of suffering. Anton's journey is, in part, a search for understanding the 'why' behind these events, rather than just the 'what,' leading him to a more nuanced view of the often-destructive pursuit of justice during conflict.

“You can't pay for the dead with the dead. You can only pay for the dead with the living.”
Truus Coster

The Search for Identity and Meaning

Anton's life is a long search for identity and meaning after trauma. Stripped of his family and home, he tries to build an identity based on normalcy and emotional detachment. However, the recurring encounters with figures from his past force him to confront how deeply the assault affected who he is. His journey is about piecing together the fragmented truth of that night, not just for historical accuracy, but to understand his own place within that history. Ultimately, finding meaning comes not from forgetting, but from fully acknowledging and integrating his traumatic past into his present self, allowing him to move forward with a more complete, if burdened, identity.

“You don't get rid of a stone in your shoe by taking off your shoe. You have to take out the stone.”
Narrator

The Unseen Scars of War

The novel shows that the scars of war extend far beyond the battlefield and the immediate conflict. Anton's entire life is shaped by a single night of violence, even though he was a child and not a combatant. The psychological and emotional cost for survivors, the moral compromises forced upon ordinary people, and the lasting divisions within society (as seen with Fake Ploeg Jr.) are all 'unseen scars.' The story reveals that even decades later, the trauma of war continues to influence personal relationships, political beliefs, and the collective consciousness, showing its long-lasting and hidden impact on individuals and nations.

“The war was long over, but it was still going on inside him.”
Narrator

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

Episodic Structure and Time Jumps

The narrative unfolds through distinct encounters across different decades.

The novel is structured episodically, with Anton encountering individuals connected to the assault at significant intervals in his life (1956, 1966, 1981). These time jumps serve to gradually reveal layers of truth about the traumatic event, mirroring Anton's own slow process of uncovering and confronting his past. Each episode acts as a catalyst, forcing Anton to re-evaluate his understanding and bringing him closer to a complete picture. This structure emphasizes the long-term impact of trauma and how memory is reconstructed over time, rather than a single, linear unveiling.

Symbolism of the Stone

A recurring metaphor for Anton's repressed trauma.

The 'stone' in Anton's shoe, mentioned by the narrator, serves as a powerful metaphor for his repressed trauma. It represents the persistent, uncomfortable presence of the past that he tries to ignore or walk around. Despite his attempts to lead a 'normal' life, the 'stone' remains, causing subtle pain and influencing his every step. The eventual removal or confrontation of this 'stone' symbolizes Anton's journey toward understanding and acceptance, rather than mere suppression, of his traumatic memories. It underscores the idea that true healing requires acknowledging and processing the source of discomfort.

The Anonymous Woman in the Bunker

A mysterious figure who represents hope and resistance, later revealed as Truus Coster.

The anonymous woman in the bunker is a significant plot device. Her initial anonymity allows her to function as a universal symbol of comfort, defiance, and resilience for the young Anton. Her voice in the darkness offers him solace and a glimpse of human connection amidst his despair. The eventual revelation of her identity as Truus Coster, a resistance fighter, transforms this symbolic figure into a concrete historical person, connecting Anton's personal trauma to the larger narrative of wartime resistance and sacrifice. This device builds suspense and allows for a profound emotional impact when her story is fully unveiled.

The Bicycle

A symbol of everyday life tragically interrupted by violence.

The bicycle, specifically Fake Ploeg's, is a potent symbol. It represents the mundane, everyday life in Holland that is violently disrupted by war. Ploeg is shot while riding his bicycle home, an ordinary act that becomes the catalyst for extraordinary horror. The image of the bicycle lying in the snow, then being moved, underscores the sudden intrusion of war into domesticity and the arbitrary nature of fate. It highlights how ordinary objects can become charged with tragic significance, linking the personal and the historical in a stark, unforgettable image.

The Assault Quotes

“The past is not a straight line, but a labyrinth.”
A central theme of the novel, reflecting Anton's struggle to understand the past.
“The war was not over, it had merely gone underground.”
Reflecting on the lingering effects of World War II on Dutch society and individuals.
“You can never really escape your past, can you?”
A recurring question Anton faces as he encounters people connected to the assault.
“Sometimes it is better not to know everything.”
A reflection on the painful truths that Anton uncovers about the night of the assault.
“The dead live on in us, in our memories, in our actions.”
Anton's contemplation of the lasting impact of those he lost.
“Every life is a story, and every story has its secrets.”
A general observation about the hidden complexities of human lives encountered by Anton.
“Justice is a complicated thing, especially when the past is involved.”
Anton's evolving understanding of justice as he learns more about the events surrounding the assault.
“He knew that some wounds never truly healed, only scarred over.”
Anton's internal reflection on his own trauma and the experiences of others.
“The line between perpetrator and victim is often blurred.”
A challenging realization for Anton as he learns about the complex motivations and circumstances of various characters.
“Silence can be a heavier burden than words.”
Referring to the unspoken truths and secrets that weigh on characters.
“History is not just dates and events, but the lives of people caught within them.”
Emphasizing the human element and personal stories within the larger historical narrative.
“He had survived, but at what cost?”
Anton's internal question about the psychological toll of his survival and the loss of his family.
“The world had moved on, but for him, that night was always present.”
Illustrating Anton's struggle to reconcile his personal trauma with the passage of time.
“There are no simple answers, only different shades of truth.”
A concluding thought about the complexities and ambiguities of the past and human actions.

Quiz

10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

  1. Question 1

    What significant event occurs in front of Anton Steenwijk's house in the winter of 1945, triggering the main conflict of the story?

    1. A British fighter plane crashes into their garden.
    2. A Nazi collaborator is assassinated on his bicycle.
    3. Anton's family discovers a hidden Jewish family in their cellar.
    4. German soldiers conduct a house-to-house search for resistance fighters.
    Show answer

    B. A Nazi collaborator is assassinated on his bicycle. The assassination of the Nazi collaborator, Fake Ploeg, in front of Anton's house is the catalyst for the entire narrative, leading to the burning of his home and the loss of his family.

  2. Question 2

    Who is the only member of the Steenwijk family to survive the German reprisal?

    1. Anton's older brother, Peter.
    2. Anton's father.
    3. Anton, the twelve-year-old son.
    4. Anton's mother.
    Show answer

    C. Anton, the twelve-year-old son. Anton is the sole survivor after the Germans burn down his family's house in retaliation for the assassination.

  3. Question 3

    What is Anton's primary coping mechanism for dealing with the trauma of his past in the years following the war?

    1. He actively seeks revenge on those responsible.
    2. He dedicates his life to historical research of World War II.
    3. He attempts to forget and live a 'carefully normal existence'.
    4. He becomes a vocal advocate for war victims.
    Show answer

    C. He attempts to forget and live a 'carefully normal existence'. The synopsis explicitly states Anton 'determined to forget, he opts for a carefully normal existence: a prudent marriage, a successful career, and colorless passivity.'

  4. Question 4

    In one of his chance encounters, Anton meets Fake Ploeg's son. What is the son's name and what is his perspective on his father's actions?

    1. Karel, who believes his father was a hero fighting communism.
    2. Cor, who acknowledges his father's collaboration but struggles with the complex legacy.
    3. Dirk, who denies his father was a collaborator and blames the resistance.
    4. Jan, who has completely disowned his father and changed his name.
    Show answer

    B. Cor, who acknowledges his father's collaboration but struggles with the complex legacy. Anton meets Cor Ploeg, Fake Ploeg's son, who offers a complicated perspective on his father's collaboration and the war, highlighting the moral ambiguities.

  5. Question 5

    During his encounter with Takes, Anton learns a crucial detail about the night of the assault. What does Takes reveal about why Fake Ploeg's body was moved?

    1. The Germans moved it to frame Anton's family.
    2. Takes and his accomplice moved it to avoid implicating Mrs. Beumer, a neighbor.
    3. Anton's brother, Peter, moved it in a fit of panic.
    4. The resistance fighters moved it to a more visible location for propaganda.
    Show answer

    B. Takes and his accomplice moved it to avoid implicating Mrs. Beumer, a neighbor. Takes, one of the resistance fighters, reveals to Anton that he and his accomplice moved Ploeg's body from the Beumers' house to the Steenwijks' house, an act that had devastating consequences for Anton's family.

  6. Question 6

    What is the primary thematic concern explored through Anton's repeated encounters with figures from his past?

    1. The inevitability of violence in human history.
    2. The lasting and complex repercussions of war and the subjective nature of truth.
    3. The triumph of good over evil in times of conflict.
    4. The importance of forgiveness and forgetting past grievances.
    Show answer

    B. The lasting and complex repercussions of war and the subjective nature of truth. The novel consistently explores how the past continues to shape the present, and how different individuals involved in the same event hold vastly different 'truths' and interpretations, making the repercussions complex and enduring.

  7. Question 7

    Who is Karin, and what is her significance in Anton's journey of understanding the past?

    1. Karin is Anton's second wife, who encourages him to confront his memories directly.
    2. Karin is the daughter of Cor Ploeg, who provides Anton with a new perspective on reconciliation.
    3. Karin is the daughter of Mrs. Beumer, who shares her family's perspective on the night of the assault.
    4. Karin is the daughter of Takes, one of the resistance fighters, who offers Anton a deeper understanding of the motivations behind the assassination.
    Show answer

    D. Karin is the daughter of Takes, one of the resistance fighters, who offers Anton a deeper understanding of the motivations behind the assassination. Karin is the daughter of Takes, the resistance fighter. Through his discussions with her, Anton gains further insight into the choices made by her father and the moral dilemmas faced by the resistance.

  8. Question 8

    The novel is structured around several encounters Anton has over the decades. What is the cumulative effect of these encounters on Anton?

    1. He becomes increasingly bitter and isolated, unable to reconcile with his past.
    2. He finds complete closure and finally forgets the events of 1945.
    3. He gradually pieces together a more complete, albeit complex and often painful, understanding of 'what really happened'.
    4. He realizes that his family was ultimately responsible for their own fate.
    Show answer

    C. He gradually pieces together a more complete, albeit complex and often painful, understanding of 'what really happened'. Each encounter adds another layer to Anton's understanding, revealing different perspectives and filling in gaps, leading him towards a more nuanced and complete, though not necessarily comforting, truth.

  9. Question 9

    What significant detail does Anton learn about Truus Coster, the woman he briefly encountered in the dark cellar on the night of the assault?

    1. She was a German spy planted by the Nazis.
    2. She was a Jewish woman hiding from the Germans.
    3. She was a resistance fighter, executed by the Germans shortly after their encounter.
    4. She was a neighbor who survived the reprisals and later moved to England.
    Show answer

    C. She was a resistance fighter, executed by the Germans shortly after their encounter. Anton later learns that Truus Coster, the woman who offered him comfort in the cellar, was a resistance fighter who was executed by the Germans.

  10. Question 10

    The novel concludes with Anton participating in a peace demonstration. What does this final scene suggest about his journey and the overarching theme of the book?

    1. He has finally chosen to forget the past and embrace a new, peaceful future.
    2. He has fully resolved his personal trauma and found complete inner peace.
    3. He has come to accept the enduring presence of the past and the need to actively engage with its lessons, even as he lives in the present.
    4. He is protesting against the injustice of his family's fate and demanding retribution.
    Show answer

    C. He has come to accept the enduring presence of the past and the need to actively engage with its lessons, even as he lives in the present. The final scene suggests that Anton doesn't forget the past but rather integrates it into his present. His participation in the demonstration indicates an acceptance of the past's enduring influence and a commitment to engaging with issues of peace and justice, reflecting the complex, ongoing repercussions of historical events.

The Assault FAQ

What is the central traumatic event that shapes Anton Steenwijk's life?

The central traumatic event is the murder of Anton's entire family and the burning of his house by the Germans in retaliation for the assassination of the Nazi collaborator Fake Ploeg. This occurred in the winter of 1945 when Anton was twelve years old, leaving him as the sole survivor.

Who was Fake Ploeg and why was his assassination significant?

Fake Ploeg was a notorious Dutch Nazi collaborator and police inspector known for his cruelty, especially towards resistance fighters. His assassination by the resistance was significant because it directly triggered the German reprisal that led to Anton's family's death and the destruction of his home.

How does Anton initially cope with the trauma of his past?

Anton initially copes by attempting to suppress his memories and live a 'normal' existence. He pursues a career as an anesthetist, marries a woman named Saskia, and strives for a life marked by prudence and a deliberate lack of strong emotional engagement, hoping to forget the horrific night.

What role does Cor Takes play in Anton's journey to uncover the truth?

Cor Takes was one of the resistance fighters who assassinated Fake Ploeg. He plays a crucial role in Anton's journey by providing direct, albeit fragmented, accounts of the events leading up to the burning of Anton's house, and by revealing the moral complexities and difficult choices made by the resistance.

Who was Truus Coster and what was her connection to the events?

Truus Coster was a young Jewish resistance fighter who helped dispose of Fake Ploeg's body in front of the Steenwijk house. She shared a brief, intense moment with Anton in the bunker, offering him comfort and a sense of connection before she was taken away and later executed. She represents a fleeting, tender memory for Anton.

Why did the resistance fighters place Fake Ploeg's body in front of the Steenwijk house?

The resistance fighters, specifically Truus Coster and Cor Takes, placed Fake Ploeg's body in front of the Steenwijk house because it was the nearest house on the canal that they thought was empty. Their intention was to divert German retaliation away from their own safe house, a decision that tragically backfired on the Steenwijks.

How does Anton's encounter with Fake Ploeg Jr. complicate his understanding of justice and revenge?

Anton's encounter with Fake Ploeg Jr., the son of the assassinated collaborator, complicates his understanding by revealing that Fake Jr. also suffered immense loss and trauma due to the war. Fake Jr. views his father as a victim and the resistance as murderers, forcing Anton to confront the cyclical nature of suffering and the subjective interpretations of 'good' and 'evil'.

What is the significance of the various 'encounters' Anton has throughout his life?

Anton's encounters, such as with Cor Takes, Fake Ploeg Jr., and even Truus Coster's sister, are not coincidental but represent the past continuously breaking through his carefully constructed defenses. Each meeting peels back another layer of the truth, forcing him to confront the suppressed trauma and the multifaceted perspectives of the war's aftermath.

How does Anton's professional choice as an anesthetist reflect his psychological state?

Anton's choice to become an anesthetist is highly symbolic of his psychological state. He literally puts others to sleep, numbing them to pain, which mirrors his own desire to numb himself to the pain of his past and to maintain a detached, passive existence, avoiding deep emotional engagement.

What is the ultimate 'truth' Anton uncovers about that night in 1945?

Anton ultimately learns that his family's destruction was not a random act of German cruelty, but a tragic consequence of the resistance's strategic decision to move Fake Ploeg's body. He discovers the calculated risk taken by Truus Coster and Cor Takes, and the arbitrary nature of which house was chosen, revealing the complex moral compromises of wartime.

How does the novel explore the theme of memory and forgetting?

The novel deeply explores memory and forgetting through Anton's struggle to suppress his trauma versus the relentless way the past intrudes. It suggests that true forgetting is impossible, and that memories, even when suppressed, continue to shape identity and must eventually be confronted for any true understanding or peace.

What is the role of coincidence in the narrative?

Coincidence plays a significant, almost fated, role in the narrative, driving Anton's encounters with key figures from his past. These 'chance' meetings, such as with Fake Ploeg Jr. and Cor Takes, are not merely random but serve as narrative devices to force Anton to confront the fragmented pieces of his history and gradually reconstruct the full picture.

How does the book challenge conventional notions of heroism and villainy?

The book challenges conventional notions by presenting characters who are neither purely heroic nor purely villainous. Resistance fighters like Cor Takes made morally ambiguous decisions, leading to innocent deaths, while even the son of a collaborator, Fake Ploeg Jr., is portrayed with a degree of pathos, showing the war's complex, multifaceted impact on all sides.

What is the significance of the final scene at the peace march?

The final scene at the peace march brings Anton full circle, connecting his personal trauma to a larger societal desire for peace. Walking alongside Fake Ploeg Jr. and realizing their shared, albeit different, burdens of history, Anton achieves a form of reconciliation, understanding that while the past cannot be changed, its lessons can inform a hopeful future.

How does the author use the shifting perspectives and time jumps to enhance the story?

The author uses shifting perspectives and time jumps to gradually reveal the truth to Anton and the reader, mirroring the fragmented nature of memory and trauma. Each encounter in a different time period adds a new piece to the puzzle, building suspense and allowing for a deeper exploration of how past events ripple through decades and affect individual lives.

Why is Anton's relationship with his second wife, Liesbeth, different from his first with Saskia?

Anton's relationship with Liesbeth is different because by this point in his life, he has begun to confront his past more directly, making him less emotionally detached than he was with Saskia. Liesbeth is more understanding and supportive of his unspoken burdens, representing a later stage of Anton's psychological processing and a more authentic connection.

What is the symbolic meaning of the 'assault' in the title?

The 'assault' in the title refers not only to the physical assault on Anton's family and home but also to the psychological assault of trauma on his mind and the constant 'assaults' of memory that break through his defenses. It signifies the ongoing impact of the past on the present.

How does the book touch upon the collective guilt and responsibility of a nation after war?

The book subtly touches upon collective guilt and responsibility by showing how different characters, representing various factions (resistance, collaborators, bystanders), grapple with their roles and the consequences of their actions during the war. It implies that the scars of war are not just individual but are etched into the collective consciousness of the nation, requiring ongoing processing and understanding.

About the author

Harry Mulisch

Harry Mulisch

Harry Kurt Victor Mulisch was a Dutch writer. He wrote more than 80 novels, plays, essays, poems, and philosophical reflections. Mulisch's works have been translated into over thirty languages.

All 2 summaries of Harry Mulisch's books →

Similar books

  • The Diary of a Young Girl

    Anne Frank

    4.2 (2.7M) average on GoodreadsBiography

    Explores the human experience during WWII in occupied Holland from a personal perspective.

  • Austerlitz

    W.G. Sebald

    4.0 (14k) average on GoodreadsHistorical Fiction

    Focuses on memory, trauma, and the lingering effects of historical events on an individual's identity.

  • The Book Thief

    Markus Zusak

    4.4 (1.8M) average on GoodreadsHistorical Fiction

    Offers a poignant look at life in WWII-era Europe and the resilience of the human spirit amidst tragedy.

  • To Kill a Mockingbird

    Harper Lee

    4.3 (4.5M) average on GoodreadsHistorical Fiction

    In the 1930s Jim Crow South, Harper Lee writes about racial injustice, moral growth, and the quiet courage of a lawyer father, Atticus Finch, as seen through his young daughter's eyes.

  • The Great Gatsby

    F. Scott Fitzgerald

    3.9 (3.8M) average on GoodreadsHistorical Fiction

    In the opulent Roaring Twenties, a mysterious millionaire's lavish parties hide his desperate, tragic pursuit of a lost love, exposing the emptiness within the American Dream.

  • Pride and Prejudice

    Jane Austen

    4.3 (3M) average on GoodreadsHistorical Fiction

    In a society focused on status and money, Elizabeth Bennet navigates love and pride, challenging Mr. Darcy and social expectations to find true affection.

More Historical Fiction summaries →

Enjoyed the summary?

A summary gives you the shape of the book. The book itself has the detail, the examples and the voice.

Find The Assault on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, BookBrief earns from qualifying purchases. How we're funded