Erich Kastner (1899-1974) was born in Dresden and was particularly close to his mother, something that features in many of his books. He was an outspoken pacifist and stayed in Germany during the war where he was denied membership of various literary organisation and had to watch his books being burnt. His home was later destroyed in the bombing of Dresden. He continued to write both essays and novels after the war, I am particularly intrigued by The Animals' Conference where animals unite to force the world to peace.