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'''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.

Contents

Style

Film adaptions

Style

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 ran 85 minutes.
The second adaptation was 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.