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Alone in Berlin

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Alone in Berlin

By: Hans Fallada, Michael Hofmann - translator
Narrated by: John Telfer
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About this listen

Berlin, 1940. The city is paralysed by fear. But one man refuses to be scared. Otto, an ordinary German living in a shabby apartment block, tries to stay out of trouble under Nazi rule. But when he discovers his only son has been killed fighting at the front he's shocked into an extraordinary act of resistance and starts to drop anonymous postcards attacking Hitler across the city. If caught, he will be executed.

Soon this silent campaign comes to the attention of ambitious Gestapo inspector Escherich, and a murderous game of cat-and-mouse begins. Whoever loses, pays with their life.

Every Man Dies Alone was published in the UK as Alone in Berlin.

English edition copyright 2009 Melville House Publishing; Translation copyright 2009 Michael Hofmann.

©1994 Aufbau-Verlagsgruppe GmbH, Berlin (P)2010 Hachette Digital Classics Heartfelt Scary Thought-Provoking Inspiring

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All stars
Most relevant  
Although the book is a piece of fiction, it is based on the true story of a couple who did, in their own way, rebel against the Third Reich. Fallada wrote the book in 26 days, in a burst of creative passion. It is a moving story, beautifully read.

Bravery in Berlin

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An incredible and powerful insight to a side of German life during the war that I was unaware of. Well written, translated and also very well narrated by John Telfer.

Very powerful insight to another side of the war in Germany

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Difficult to say I enjoyed this book given the story line. However, the writer manages to include so much about what was happening in Berlin at that time, cleverly woven into well formed characters. The narrator I found to be excellent (and I'm very fussy!). I would very much recommend.

Very well written with great narrator

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At times the fear and despair, so simply and almost naively expressed in the text, is overwhelming. There is humanity and humour but the book is deeply discomforting because it forces you to question how your own principles might survive in similar circumstances. Compelling listening but the stuff of nightmares.

Suffocatingly oppressive and deeply moving

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It shows all the most important things in life and the reality of the war.

Moving, real and amazing book

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Excellent narrator, well paced narrative but a bit meandering in the middle towards the end. The snapshot into Berlin in the 1940s is excellent and explores a side of the war I never thought about. Would throughly recommend

Good read

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...in war-time Germany. A sublime, believable book and it's tragically very real, really well narrated.

I didn't know how it was...

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An enjoyable range of characters, animated effortlessly by the narrator. I enjoyed this character-centred story, even with the pace as deliberate and ponderous as its main character.

Characters and narrator

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What does the lucky reader get?
1. Authenticity. The novel is set in Berlin in the years 1940-1946, Fallada stayed in Berlin throughout the war and wrote the book in 1946. Fallada had first hand experience both of being denounced to the Gestapo and collaborating with the Nazi party. I love that immediate, first hand, recent feel. It is almost what I read novels for.
2. Lessons in Politics. Explains how a tyrannical system works. How fascism can capture a civilized, educated, modern state. It works by giving power to the wrong people - not on merit but to the party faithful. This creates a hell on earth, but also sows the seeds of its own destruction. In the end, power in the hands of imbeciles and sadists is inefficient.
3. Characters. There are goodies, all with credible flaws and limitations; there are baddies with all their faults, self-justifications and weaknesses, penned with the same level of detail and empathy. I have rarely read a novel where the low-lifers are depicted with such subtlety and intimacy.
4. Plot. Exciting, action packed, satisfying.
5. Good taste. Gestapo interrogation is a pretty grim subject, Fallada writes so delicately that you understand what is happening without it becoming overwhelmingly distressing.
6. A happy ending. Er, no. There is a final battle between good and evil (represented by a blond son waving a horse whip at his evil, corrupt father on a rural, spring morning in 1946) where the son prevails. It is the merest glimmer of hope. Fortunately, we can visit Berlin today and see that hope realized. I’m sorry Fallada never lived to see it – he died within weeks of finishing this book.

This book reminded me repeatedly of 1984 – written at about the same time with a similar political message. I cannot understand how this book was only translated into English in 2009. It should have been hugely famous for years. IMHO it is a truly wonderful book.

Narration: excellent.

A Perfect Novel

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The ease in which John Telfer, transitions into each character is what helps to make this book a true audible masterpiece.

The best Audio Book I've ever listened too

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