When the Gods Died: A Socialist Utopian Novel from East Germany

1960s science fiction in socialist East Germany was strongly influenced by the idea of the socialist ‘New Man,’ common in socialist realist literature. The texts aim in fact to build a ‘New Man’ who can strive for progress and a better future. This didactic goal of East German science fiction of the time is ambiguous, as it could be a way of conforming to the regime, but also serves as a stimulus for readers to reflect on their world. In the case of the Paläoastronautik-science fiction novel When The Gods Died (1963) written by Günther Krupkat, it is clear that his socialist ideology functions as the basis of the utopian construction, but it is wrong to argue that this utopia is a propagandistic one. The text’s underlying message can be considered a moral one. It advances the fundamental principles of equality and community, which are not only essential components of an ideal socialist society but also of democratic thought. This is why novels of this kind are so fascinating. It thus follows that a detailed and thorough examination of the interconnections between science fiction and ideological concepts is a subject worthy of significant academic attention, with a view to elucidating the reciprocal influences that shape both the real and the fictional.