Summary of Berlin Alexanderplatz
Alfred Döblin’s novel “Berlin Alexanderplatz” describes how Franz Biberkopf is released from prison after serving four years for murdering his girlfriend. He intends to become an honourable citizen but soon finds himself drawn back into the criminal underworld of Berlin.
Reasons to read Berlin Alexanderplatz
“Berlin, Alexanderplatz” is a sharp portrait of 1920s Berlin in all its vibrancy and rawness. Döblin’s characters – burglars, pimps and prostitutes – live in dire circumstances on the fringes of society. “Berlin, Alexanderplatz” is an experimental novel, interspersed with advertising messages, weather reports, stock market prices, and public transport stops, creating a collage-like picture of Berlin in the interwar period. A masterpiece of 20th-century German literature, “Berlin, Alexanderplatz” is a fascinating novel but not an easy read. Its depictions of crime, resentment, and the rise of the far right resonate with many contemporary issues. Other notable works by German author Alfred Döblin include Wallenstein, Citizens and Soldiers (first part of the “November 1918” trilogy), and “The Three Leaps of Wang Lun”.
Setting: Berlin (Germany)
Original title: Berlin Alexanderplatz
Year of publication: 1929
Nr of pages: 480
