Berlin Alexanderplatz

Berlin Alexanderplatz is a novel that depicts the life of Franz Biberkopf in the streets of Berlin in the 1920s. It is a brilliant collage of newspaper reports, Biblical stories, drinking songs, and urban slang, and it brought fame to its author, Alfred Döblin, in 1929. This landmark translation by Michael Hofmann is the first to do justice to the novel in English.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2019
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Berlin Alexanderplatz, a novel that vividly captures the essence of 1920s Berlin life, has been given a superb new translation by Michael Hofmann. The protagonist, Franz Biberkopf, returns to the streets of Berlin with a strong determination to turn his life around after serving a prison sentence. However, an unpredictable force, reminiscent of fate, seems to thwart his every attempt. Franz experiences a series of misfortunes, including being cheated, humiliated, and thrown from a moving car. He becomes entangled in an underworld filled with pimps, thugs, drunks, and prostitutes, struggling to pick himself up again and again until a devastating blow threatens to bring his downfall.

Berlin Alexanderplatz is a remarkable work that seamlessly blends newspaper reports, Biblical stories, drinking songs, and urban slang to create a captivating portrayal of Berlin. It vividly depicts the city as both a reality and a dream, mimicking its movements and rhythms, and immortalizing its pubs, abattoirs, apartments, and chaotic streets. This novel spans the entire spectrum of city life, from the gutters to the stars, providing a comprehensive and vivid depiction of the city.

In 1929, the novel Berlin Alexanderplatz brought fame to its author, Alfred Döblin. Prior to its publication, Döblin was an impecunious writer and doctor residing in a working-class neighborhood in the east of Berlin. While his success at home was short-lived, his novel gained widespread recognition and acclaim. However, Döblin, being a Jew, left Germany the day after the Reichstag Fire in 1933 and did not return until 1945.

It is worth noting that this landmark translation by Michael Hofmann is the first to truly do justice to Berlin Alexanderplatz in English. Hofmann's masterful translation captures the energy, profundity, and inventiveness of Döblin's masterpiece, allowing readers to experience the full depth and richness of the novel in a fresh and compelling way.

Berlin Alexanderplatz is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today, offering a profound exploration of human nature, morality, and the complexities of urban life. Its vivid portrayal of 1920s Berlin and its unforgettable characters make it a must-read for anyone interested in literature, history, and the human condition.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 198 x 133 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780141191621