This paper examines Walter Abish`s How German Is It (1980) and his writing philosophy and technique embodied in the novel. Abish`s philosophy and technique are based on his contention that imagination and use of language are absolutely more important than the representation of truth and reflection of reality. Furthermore, his philosophy and technique try to challenge readers` automatic acceptance of conventions and ideology by bringing a sudden change to their consciousness. Abish believes that the Germans` automatic acceptance of Hitler`s unreasonable New Order had brought about the genocide of Jews. Therefore, he contends that the best way to overcome and prevent such tragedy lies in imagination and use of language that can subvert readers` dull consciousness. His imagination and use of language embodied in How German Is It emphasize variability, uncertainty, and discontinuity rather than constancy, certainty, and continuity. Germany in his novel was a product of his imagination as Abish had never been to Germany before publishing the novel. In this imaginative novel, he created a main hero, Ulrick Hargenau, whose existence is full of variability, uncertainty, and discontinuity. Hargenau is a good embodiment of reforming our consciousness to become more open to challenges and inquiries.