Berlin Alexanderplatz

infobox Book |
name = Berlin Alexanderplatz
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Reproduction of the 1st edition cover
author = Alfred Döblin
illustrator =
cover_artist = George Salter
country = Germany
language = German
series =
genre = Novel
publisher = S. Fischer Verlag, Berlin
release_date = 1929
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages =
isbn =
oclc =
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Berlin Alexanderplatz" is a novel by Alfred Döblin, published in 1929. The story concerns a small-time criminal, Franz Biberkopf, fresh from prison, who is drawn into the underworld. When his criminal mentor murders the prostitute whom Biberkopf has been relying on as an anchor, he realizes that he will be unable to extricate himself from the underworld into which he has sunk. In a 2002 poll of 100 noted writers conducted by the Norwegian Book Clubs, the book was named among the top 100 books of all time. [" [http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,6109,711520,00.html The top 100 books of all time] , Guardian Unlimited", May 8, 2002]

tyle

The novel is set in the working class Alexanderplatz district of 1920s Berlin. Its narrative style is reminiscent of James Joyce. In fact, Döblin had already finished the work when he read "Ulysses" which inspired him to radically rewrite his own book. It is told from multiple points of view, and uses sound effects, newspaper articles, songs, speeches, and other books to propel the plot forward.

Film adaptions

The novel was adapted twice into a film, the first called "Berlin — Alexanderplatz", in 1931. Döblin worked on the adaptation, along with Karl Heinz Martin and Hans Wilhelm. It was directed by Piel Jutzi, and starred Heinrich George, Maria Bard, Margarete Schlegel, Bernhard Minetti, Gerhard Bienert, Albert Florath and Paul Westermeier. It runs 85 minutes.

The second adaptation, titled "Berlin Alexanderplatz" is by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Released in 1980, it ran 15 1/2 hours in length and is considered, by many, to be his magnum opus. Both films were released in a multi-disc DVD set by the Criterion Collection in the U.S. in November 2007.

References

See also

* Museum of Modern Literature, where the original manuscript is held.