Nightmare in Berlin

By: Hans Fallada, Allan Blunden - translator

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Available for the first time in English, here is an unforgettable novel about the desolation of postwar Germany after Hitler.

The war is over, yet Dr. Doll, a loner and "moderate pessimist", lives in constant fear. By night, he is still haunted by nightmarish images of the bombsite in which he is trapped - he, and the rest of Germany. More than anything, he wishes to vanquish the demon of collective guilt, but he is unable to right any wrongs, especially in his position as mayor of a small town in northeast Germany that has been occupied by the Red Army.

Dr. Doll flees this place for Berlin, where he finds escape in a morphine addiction: each dose is a "small death." He tries to make his way in the chaos of a city torn apart by war, accompanied by his young wife, who shares his addiction. Fighting to save two lives, he tentatively begins to believe in a better future.

Nightmare in Berlin captures the demoralized and desperate atmosphere of postwar Germany in a way that has never been matched or surpassed.

©2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Super depressing

Couldn’t finish it, just super depressing. Don’t know what to say besides that. Sad upon sad.

Berlin at its lowest

This is a portrait of post-war Germany with which relatively few Americans are familiar. I’m pleased to have the additional pieces of the post-war puzzle to add to my lessons.

Intriguing Book!

I really enjoyed this book. I also read Alone in Berlin which I liked, but felt Nightmare in Berlin captured me more. The characters are richly developed . The novel really captures the mood at the end of the war. I’ve never encountered a book or movie that deals with this period and was fascinated with the authors vivid descriptions. I wish he had lived longer to write more. Truly a gifted talented writer !

Weird yet I couldn’t put it down

I’m still confused. But I couldn’t put it down to see how it developed. Many tragic truths.

Deep voice

Could not understand the words he was saying. Voice was so deep. Didn’t get beyond the 1st chapter. Sorry don’t know what the story was