Born in Moscow, Wladimir Kaminer emigrated to Berlin in the early '90s when he was 22. Russian Disco is a series of short and comic autobiographical vignettes about life among the émigrés in the explosive and extraordinary multi-cultural atmosphere of '90s Berlin. It's an exotic, vodka-fuelled millennial Goodbye to Berlin. The stories show a wonderful, innocent, deadpan economy of style reminiscent of the great humorists. [Several of his European editors make a comparison with current bestseller David Sedaris.] Kaminer manages to say a great deal without seeming to say much at all. He speaks about the offbeat personal events of his own life but captures something universal about our disjointed times. (20020218)
Russian Disco
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"It's Berlin's Trainspotting, only without the drugs" (Sunday Times 20020917)
"razor sharp prose" (Jewish Chronicle 20021023)
"razor sharp prose" (Jewish Chronicle 20021023)
Book Description
Offbeat humorous tales of gritty life on the streets of hip and sleazy Berlin. A European bestseller. (20020218)
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Berlin (and Germany more broadly) from the point of view of a Russian immigrant
3 July 2012
By AK
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Wladimir Kaminer is by now an established author in Germany, with most of his books dealing with his experiences as a Russian immigrant, arriving amongst the first waves. The book consists of vignette length essays, which highlight particular aspects of the experience, from being a Jewish immigrant, to dealing with authorities, the pros and cons of a Russian wife (for a German husband), eating, drinking, culture, etc.
Having been amongst the first, and arriving on the Russian Jew ticket (something that briefly worked in the very beginning only), he has two decades of experience to look back on, and his active involvement in the community as well as his fine observation gift make him an excellent commenter on what Berlin (and Germany more generally) is like for an outsider.
The stories are occassionally slightly surreal but not per se unbelievable and the author has a wry sense of humour. This, together with the short length, makes the book a good read. And while it is certainly possible to finish it in one go, I suppose one will be better served by ejoying it in smaller chunks, especially since the stories do not build on one another.
The book has recently also been filmed (same name - a hit in Germany). If you like it (and speak German), also try his earlier Es Gab Keinen Sex Im Sozialismus: Legenden und Missverständnisse des vorigen Jahrhunderts by all means.
So overall a much recommended social commentary on the immigrant experience, on Berlin, Germany and the Russians. And really good fun, too.
Having been amongst the first, and arriving on the Russian Jew ticket (something that briefly worked in the very beginning only), he has two decades of experience to look back on, and his active involvement in the community as well as his fine observation gift make him an excellent commenter on what Berlin (and Germany more generally) is like for an outsider.
The stories are occassionally slightly surreal but not per se unbelievable and the author has a wry sense of humour. This, together with the short length, makes the book a good read. And while it is certainly possible to finish it in one go, I suppose one will be better served by ejoying it in smaller chunks, especially since the stories do not build on one another.
The book has recently also been filmed (same name - a hit in Germany). If you like it (and speak German), also try his earlier Es Gab Keinen Sex Im Sozialismus: Legenden und Missverständnisse des vorigen Jahrhunderts by all means.
So overall a much recommended social commentary on the immigrant experience, on Berlin, Germany and the Russians. And really good fun, too.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wladimir Kaminer gives us brief snippets of his life as a Russian emigre in post-reunification Berlin. He tells tales of the eccentric and colourful world around him, mainly of the other Russian emigres but also of the other nationalities vying for a living there. The scene is portrayed with very much charm and often blasting humour. brilliant
By A.Customer
Format:Paperback
This book took me on a journey !! And I enjoyed travelling along, watching the author weave together a superb book
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dull as dishwater
We know from artists and Eastern Europe. We've been to Berlin many times. And no one in our household can get past page three. Where is the wit? the literary value? Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2007 by Banuta Rubess
4.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing.
A hugely entertaining collection of short stories about russian inmigrants, and the life of a literated yet disfranchised young artist, in after-the-wall Berlin. Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2004 by Diego
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good in German--English?
I read this book and "Schoenhauser Allee" last summer in Berlin and they are both wonderfully written, hilarious observations of the "real" Berlin. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2003 by Jim Rion
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