Our book choice for September 2011 is Alone in Berlin (UK title) by Hans Fallada, translated by Michael Hofmann. It is 1940, France has capitulated, Nazism seems impregnable. Otto Quangel is a dry, withdrawn working man, the foreman at a furniture factory – soon to be turned over to the production of coffins, in response to need. Otto has never read a book in his life; he is miserly, utterly reliable, a creature of habit. Anna, his obedient wife, is a hausfrau who has barely voiced an opinion of her own. Jolted into life by the loss of their son, they launch a silent campaign of subversion, dropping postcards denouncing Hitler all over the city, like seeds. It is based on the true story of a working class husband and wife, Otto and Elise Hampel, who committed acts of civil disobedience in Berlin during World War II before being caught, tried by infamous Nazi judge Roland Freisler, and executed in Plötzensee Prison. Fallada’s book was one of the first anti-Nazi novels to be published by a German after World War II.The book was first published in 1947 under the title Every Man Dies Alone.
Questions
- German title translates as “Everyone dies for himself alone”. Which is the more suitable title, the UK version or the German?
- Written in 24 days, translated in 2009, becoming instant best seller (rare for old book). Is it the author or the translators success? (authors own life and characters he would have met)
- Would the Quangels have resisted without the death of their son? (The real Quangels had a brother who died)
- What is the impact of the postcards? (misery/fear/dissent/historically to the reader?)
- The book is about the ability to maintain character. Discuss. (Eva – keeps self respect, Reicherdt – decency, Otto – not sniverly, whimpering, Hergesel’s want of a quiet family life, but in a regime of fear those who can adapt survive)
- All Nazi dissidents introduced in book fail or are killed. Did they die in vain? (dissidents are metaphysical parents of better Germany)
- Does Eishreich deserve his fate; is he Otto’s only disciple?
- The poison vial sets Otto free, but nearly sends Anna over the edge – why? and what does it tell us about their characters?
- Enno storyline, why is it needed? (Opposite of Otto, though both meet same fate)
- After the concentration camps philosophers said God can not exist. What is the role of religion and religious language in the book?
- Commissioned by Soviet Cultural leader in E Germany post WW2, is it a socialist novel? (Ending, a rural ideal?)
- Write your own propaganda postcard to leave somewhere. (Do you have anything as important to say as Otto, can you have any effect, how does Otto’s journey make you feel?)
Individual Ratings
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