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Rating: 
Summary: One of the masterpieces of German literature
Review: Doblin describes pre-Nazi Germany through the life of Franz Biberkopf in such a fashion that even the lax historian can get a feel for what it was like. The reader is constantly bombarded with highly symbolic analogies that quite clearly paint a portrait of rough standards of living amongst the proletariat and a highly controlling, highly nervous government. The life of Franz Biberkopf, as mentioned before, is the foundation of the story. Franz is released from prison, after having served a four year sentence for the murder of his girlfriend, only to suffer shell shock at being immediately subjected to the outside world. He soon decides to be straight and live the life of a working man. He starts on his journey which has its impediments: he is consumed by sexual desire and manipulates the women in his life, he goes into hiding at times, he has fits of jealous rage in unwarranted scenarios, and he is a member of the National Socialists. He meets many people along the way - "Fat" Lina who is his lover for a period, betraying Reinhold, loyal Eva, a friend who helps Franz, and Mieze, Franz's love - who help to change him into Franz Karl Biberkopf, a new Franz who is conscious of his country and his life. Franz's epiphany doesn't come without a price, however; he will feel the pain of loss every step of the way. Mixing Franz's episodic life story with narrations closely resembling radio news broadcasts ingeniously and gracefully lifts the veil of time and politics to give present day readers a glimpse of pre-Nazi Berlin. In Book Four the narrator intricately describes the slaughtering of pigs. Through deception, the pigs are led to the slaughter house and made to suffer as their deceptors watch trying to justify their actions. Using symbolism Doblin illustrates a disillusioned people searching so hard for stability they settle for oppression. These analogous illustrations are speckled throughout the novel. Through irony and symbolism Doblin gives the reader a unique view of pre-Nazi Germany. This was a confusing time when Germany was still wounded from World War I and it left them open to tyranny. This novel serves to place the reader in pre-Nazi Germany to experience the manipulation and politics of the working class that existed at that time.
Rating:
Summary: "...and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
Review: Everyone knows someone who is quick to respond with "it wasn't my fault" or "I didn't do it" when something has gone awry. This same person is usually more apt to take credit for things that end well even though beyond their control. Franz Biberkopf is the unlikely hero in Berlin Alexanderplatz by Alfred Doblin who will remind you of the 'someone' above. Although the first 400 pages may seem to drag with very specific details, biblical and mythic references and stream of consciousness insight, the final pages are riveting. Franz refuses to take responsibility for the events of his life, both good and bad. He spends more than 30 years trying to avoid the pain and suffering that accompany reality. This attempt to preserve himself has blinded him to the truths that only a bout with Death can enlighten him to. Once he surrenders to suffering, acknowledges his guilt and repents, he is able to see the world and life with real vision and true meaning. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." New Testament: John 8:32 Warning: Because you will associate the people you know and maybe yourself with the main character in this book, the reading will change your life!
Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing - can't say I liked it
Review: I doubt it was Doblin's intention to write a likeable book, though. Book starts with the title character being released from jail. You soon find out he was serving time for beating his girlfriend to death. And this is the main guy, the, um, protagonist. Several more disturbing scenes follow, interspersed with weather reports, death statistics, lurid tabloid stories, a chillingly clinical account of how Franz Biberkopf beat his girlfriend to death, extended and repeated quotes from the Bible, the skillful depiction of a psychopathic personality (fellow named Reinhold), the odd lyrical passage. Sort of a Job story where Job deserves the suffering inflicted on him.
Rating:
Summary: One of the masterpieces of German literature
Review: If you're looking for simple dialogue, simple characters, and a simple, enjoyable story, then the Hardy Boys should be right up your alley. If you want to be challenged by one of the great novels of the 20th century - expressionism at its most compelling - then settle in with Doblin. I'm a little tired of the carp "stream of consciousness" when it's nothing of the kind. The diversions into slaughterhouse techniques, newspaper ads, etc. all combine to create a visceral rendering of Berlin of the 1920's. That's the point. It's meant to jar, to attack, to disorient. That's it's genius. If you think that might bore you (or be beyond you) don't read it. You won't get it. It's not meant to be an assigment. It's meant to be an experience. If you're up to it, dive in. It'll change the way you read from then on.
Rating: 
Summary: A few interesting insights but confusing and depressing
Review: This 635-page German novel, written by Alfred Doblin and published in 1929, is set in an area of Berlin that no longer exists. In the 1920s, though, it was the hub of the city. The novel is the story of that time and place as well as the story of Franz Biberkopf, who has just been released from prison after serving four years for the murder of his girlfriend. He then becomes a street vendor but eventually turns to crime and has one misfortune after another. This narrative is surrounded by a lot of words spilling out of the author's mind including long surreal stream of conscious thoughts, references to Greek mythology and the bible, constant weather reports, and dozens of short side stories. The result is like an abstract painting, one that is not only confusing, but depressing. The characters struggle, feel pain, and make horrible blunders in choices they make. Women are treated terribly but are just too stupid to care about. Franz actually loses his arm when run over by a car and later is confined to a mental institution, but I never could relate to him, his world, or his humanity. The author was a physician and a psychologist and the influence of these fields of study definitely permeate the book, which searches to understand the human condition and cruelty of the world. Considering when it was written, and the mood in Germany at the time, it is a foreshadowing of the future. This book is considered a masterpiece. But to me it was just the unedited outpourings of the author's slightly warped mind. And yet, as I kept reading, I gradually got into its rhythms and appreciated some of its complexities. It brought me to a world I didn't care about, and a way of thinking that is overbearing and pretentious. I did gain a few insights though and I'm glad I got a glimpse of that world. But in spite of its few redeeming qualities, there is no way I can recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A few interesting insights but confusing and depressing
Review: This 635-page German novel, written by Alfred Doblin and published in 1929, is set in an area of Berlin that no longer exists. In the 1920s, though, it was the hub of the city. The novel is the story of that time and place as well as the story of Franz Biberkopf, who has just been released from prison after serving four years for the murder of his girlfriend. He then becomes a street vendor but eventually turns to crime and has one misfortune after another. This narrative is surrounded by a lot of words spilling out of the author's mind including long surreal stream of conscious thoughts, references to Greek mythology and the bible, constant weather reports, and dozens of short side stories. The result is like an abstract painting, one that is not only confusing, but depressing. The characters struggle, feel pain, and make horrible blunders in choices they make. Women are treated terribly but are just too stupid to care about. Franz actually loses his arm when run over by a car and later is confined to a mental institution, but I never could relate to him, his world, or his humanity. The author was a physician and a psychologist and the influence of these fields of study definitely permeate the book, which searches to understand the human condition and cruelty of the world. Considering when it was written, and the mood in Germany at the time, it is a foreshadowing of the future. This book is considered a masterpiece. But to me it was just the unedited outpourings of the author's slightly warped mind. And yet, as I kept reading, I gradually got into its rhythms and appreciated some of its complexities. It brought me to a world I didn't care about, and a way of thinking that is overbearing and pretentious. I did gain a few insights though and I'm glad I got a glimpse of that world. But in spite of its few redeeming qualities, there is no way I can recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Franz
Review: This book is a tragedy, to the point where the misfortunes visited upon the protagonist seem almost gratuitous. But even though a great number of misfortunes are foisted upon our hero with ever increasing severity, and that you pity him in his unwinnable situation, the book really speaks to the fact that humans have a great ability to endure. The value of life to the destitute people in this story is merely living another day, and they actually want to live another day. However, this is only a small consolation as the subject matter is very dark and depressing. The author Alfred Doblin was a phychiatrist in these areas of poverty before he decided to memorialize the opression he saw on a daily basis in this novel. The book was also adapted into the longest narrative film in history, played in installments on German TV and directed by famed German workaholic (among other things) Ranier Werner Fassbinder. The films running time is, I believe, 15 and 1/2 hours.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably Not Worth It
Review: This is a difficult book to read, and I wonder if it's worth it. Written largely as stream of consciousness, with bits of narration thrown in to tie the story together, it is very hard to follow. Adding to the difficulty are freely impressionistic and allegorical elements that have highly ambiguous links to the story, and feel instead like the author's own stream of consciousness. The effect is an impressionistic portrait of Berlin in the late 20's. At it's best moments this portrait is vivid and compelling, but these only comprise about 50 of the book's 630 pages. The rest is torture.
Rating:
Summary: Read the book - then buy the Fassbinder film series
Review: This is one of my favorite books. The characters of Franz and Reinhold are just so contrary and yet in a way so similar - you will come to many realizations over the course of the novel - it is repetitious and yet not excessive in its repetition (kind of like 'the hundred years of solitude')
By the way, you can find the Fassbinder film series on ebay - it is well worth the price.
Rating:
Summary: Best German Novel
Review: This is the best German novel; mordant, dark, hilarious, packed with the fascinations of Modernism and modern urban life... Joycean literary technique applied by a historical realist to the social life in one of the world's great cities at a critical turning point in its history, it's as close as the German novel can get to Rabelais, Brecht, Joyce and Dickens at the same time. Here's to Franz Biberkopf!
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