Alone in Berlin

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!