Alone in Berlin

Hans Fallada certainly managed to capture the atmosphere of WWII - the constant fear and paranoia, kindness was only ever treated with suspicion, there was no such thing as trust, and not to mention the sadistic characters - considering the fact that he wrote the book in 24 days. It gives a clearer insight as to how things were in Berlin and is based on a true story. It all seems quite surreal, especially with the photographs of the reports, mug shots and confessions.

I started this book expecting a more detailed account of all the postcards and the thrill of it all which would've made it exciting but instead I found a lot detailed description of the characters, some of whom weren't all that important to the story.

The book was difficult to read at times but I assume that is because of the translation. I certainly enjoyed Eva Kluge's little story. It may have been the only part of the book where kindness and trust were treated normally. To Eva, Kuno was a fresh new start, one that carried hope for a better future. I believe the happiest moment throughout the whole book was the moment Kuno was adopted.

The demise of both Otto and Anna was rather unexpected, as he carries his key to freedom for months but waits too long, and she chooses to throw her's away. It was sad to know that all their hard work had gone to waste.

However, the fact that the book was written in third person narrative was one of it's downfalls. Not only are there many characters thrown at you from the very beginning, but there is no distinction between which character the narrator is talking about. Often the narrator would jump from talking about one character to the next, leaving you confused for quite a while. It was only 100 pages in that I started to get a feel for the writing.

I also think some of the characters and their stories were a waste of time; yes they may have been quite enjoyable, and gave a better understanding to the way that things were, but those stories didn't interfere with the main story in any way.

Overall, I think the actual story about Otto & Anna/Otto & Elise was interesting and the book has left me with a better insight of the lives of regular people in Germany during WWII.

This could have been so bleak, so depressing, the endless deaths and the pointlessness of the central rebellion in the novel should have made it so. But somehow it was hopeful, beautiful and redemptive. Peopled by nobodies who seemed to cower and creep whether supporters or secret adversaries of the Nazis. But somehow these nobodies became somebodies in Fallada's hands. It is a book full of humanity, morality and peace and, in that way, it could even be a testament of hope.

The novel defies its own title, no one appears to ever be Alone In Berlin, even in solitary there is a sense of those around you. In the same way the tale of Otto Quangel's defiance was just one of many stories in a book that rounded out the city, and beyond, in those final years of the war. These tales crisscrossed, back and forth, pulling the reader into their lives and making you care for them all.

In reading the afterward I find so much more to be amazed by. That Fallada survived so much to ever write this book (but not to see it published). That it was based on a true case of a couple dropping laboriously printed postcards in the stairwells of Berlin – how could people be so brave? That it was written in only 24 days but is so complex in its weaving of tales yet simple in the tales it does tell – reflecting the simplicity of the central character.

And Otto Quangel himself? Perhaps he does stand Alone In Berlin, alone in standing up for his beliefs (even if no one reads or redistributes his words). Alone in his solitude, in his peace and his acceptance of himself. Alone in his quiet defiance that achieved nothing tangible but is still affecting readers today.



This book sat by my bedside for months before I bothered to pick it up. I thought it would be a struggle to read, dull and something that I would have to just “get through”. I couldn't have been more wrong. I encourage everyone not to be dismayed by the premise or put off by the idea that “it's not my sort of thing”. It's a truly wonderful book and deserves to be read by everyone!

3.5 rounded up.
Tough to review. The first 100 or so pages are a real struggle it really does plod and the tone is so flat and it feels devoid of any kind of emotion. After that it does get much better and the ending is devastating. Those first 100 pages though will be too much for some people but do stick with it if you can because it really is a remarkable story.