Wolf Among Wolves
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A sprawling saga of the collapse of a culture, its economy and government and the common man's struggle to survive it all. Set in Weimer Germany soon after their loss of World War I, a young gambler looses it all in Berlin and flees the city for countryside. However, he is greeted a defeated German army that has camped there to forment insurrection. Somehow, amidst all the chaos, he finds romance. This fast-moving thriller is also a fascinating historical fiction with lyrical prose that packs a powerful emotional punch.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
85 of 86 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although this novel has been translated into English before, it was not a complete version. However now Thorsten Carstensen and Nicholas Jacobs have added to Philip Owens' 1938 translation to give us this masterpiece in its entirety for the first time.
Hans Fallada wrote here an absolutely gripping and faithful tale about what life was like in the time of what we call the Weimer Republic. After losing the First World War, Germany was placed in a very difficult position due to the Treaty of Versailles. Inflation soared to unprecedented heights and both extremist left and right organisations sought to overthrow the government. This novel opens in 1923, a year when a fifty million Mark note in September was worth one US Dollar, and within a few weeks was worthless. Life was hard for everyone, and only foreign currency was really worth anything.
When you first start to read this you may think that it will be just mainly about the love and lives of Wolfgang and Petra, who Wolfgang calls Peter. However there is so much more in this saga that divides itself between Berlin and Neulohe (which is about thirteen miles from the Polish border). This sweeping saga brings to life the people and the problems of the period, indeed in some ways I thought this was reminiscent of the great Dostoevsky, filled with some truly unforgettable characters. This is most certainly a masterpiece, and by many is considered to be a greater work than Alone in Berlin (Penguin Modern Classics). For anyone who loves reading great litetature, instead of the usual humdrum material that is usually in the bestseller charts this book is a must have.
There is just so much here in this sprawling novel that I wholeheartedly recommend it to be read. Included is also an afterword on why this was originally edited, etc.
Hans Fallada wrote here an absolutely gripping and faithful tale about what life was like in the time of what we call the Weimer Republic. After losing the First World War, Germany was placed in a very difficult position due to the Treaty of Versailles. Inflation soared to unprecedented heights and both extremist left and right organisations sought to overthrow the government. This novel opens in 1923, a year when a fifty million Mark note in September was worth one US Dollar, and within a few weeks was worthless. Life was hard for everyone, and only foreign currency was really worth anything.
When you first start to read this you may think that it will be just mainly about the love and lives of Wolfgang and Petra, who Wolfgang calls Peter. However there is so much more in this saga that divides itself between Berlin and Neulohe (which is about thirteen miles from the Polish border). This sweeping saga brings to life the people and the problems of the period, indeed in some ways I thought this was reminiscent of the great Dostoevsky, filled with some truly unforgettable characters. This is most certainly a masterpiece, and by many is considered to be a greater work than Alone in Berlin (Penguin Modern Classics). For anyone who loves reading great litetature, instead of the usual humdrum material that is usually in the bestseller charts this book is a must have.
There is just so much here in this sprawling novel that I wholeheartedly recommend it to be read. Included is also an afterword on why this was originally edited, etc.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book can be recommended primarily as a unique work of authentic storytelling. It is set in the midst of unfolding dramatic events in post first world war Germany prior to the rise of the Nazis. A riveting period of European history which the author successfully conveys through characters and events that are directly influenced by contemporary influences. The book is a masterly example of "zeitgeist" culture and stands the test of time considering it was originally published in 1938. Fallada was taking considerable risks with this project. However the authorities probably saw his work as both a critique of the politically weak administration in 1923 and a treatise on the ability of German character to overcome adversity.
They would not have seen the writer's subtlety in describing how the German people were caught up in a nightmare of insecurity,economic collapse, corruption and decadence following the humiliation of military defeat at the hand of the allies in 1918 (followed by the Treaty of Versailles) and how these factors were creating near perfect conditions for national weakness and collective neurosis resulting in both passive acceptance and fervent zeal for the propoganda that allowed the Nazi party to gain power in Germany in 1933.
This remarkable novel is one of the best literary works to throw some light on the definitve question of this or any other age-just how could it happen? I would recommend to anyone looking to put this era into the context of Europe in the 20th century and what it could signify for the Europe of today to read Fallada's novels. Also Thomas Mann's "Buddenbrooks" which deals with Germany during its 19th century period of Teutonic power and social repression and "The Reader" by Bernhard Schlink a recent novel dealing with post Nazi era trauma and moral consciousness. Hans Fallada's works brilliantly cover the period in between depicting the decline of Germany ("Wolf among Wolves") and life under the Nazis("Alone in Berlin").
One of the themes of this book is the conflicting culture of the generations from the strict discipline and repression of the old order to the more self centred,live for today attitudes following the 1914-1918 war and one can see parallels with modern Britain. The lessons for Europe and the European Union are especially relevant following the recent financial crisis and immigration issues. The EEC was forged out of a desire to ensure a peaceful Europe after the last great conflict so that we can benefit today from the eradication of fanaticism and extremism. Fallada's depiction of Germany between the wars,his exceptional plotting and characterisation, offering both clarity and authentic insight into human behaviour during a period of national crisis makes one think. Surely it couldn't happen again!
They would not have seen the writer's subtlety in describing how the German people were caught up in a nightmare of insecurity,economic collapse, corruption and decadence following the humiliation of military defeat at the hand of the allies in 1918 (followed by the Treaty of Versailles) and how these factors were creating near perfect conditions for national weakness and collective neurosis resulting in both passive acceptance and fervent zeal for the propoganda that allowed the Nazi party to gain power in Germany in 1933.
This remarkable novel is one of the best literary works to throw some light on the definitve question of this or any other age-just how could it happen? I would recommend to anyone looking to put this era into the context of Europe in the 20th century and what it could signify for the Europe of today to read Fallada's novels. Also Thomas Mann's "Buddenbrooks" which deals with Germany during its 19th century period of Teutonic power and social repression and "The Reader" by Bernhard Schlink a recent novel dealing with post Nazi era trauma and moral consciousness. Hans Fallada's works brilliantly cover the period in between depicting the decline of Germany ("Wolf among Wolves") and life under the Nazis("Alone in Berlin").
One of the themes of this book is the conflicting culture of the generations from the strict discipline and repression of the old order to the more self centred,live for today attitudes following the 1914-1918 war and one can see parallels with modern Britain. The lessons for Europe and the European Union are especially relevant following the recent financial crisis and immigration issues. The EEC was forged out of a desire to ensure a peaceful Europe after the last great conflict so that we can benefit today from the eradication of fanaticism and extremism. Fallada's depiction of Germany between the wars,his exceptional plotting and characterisation, offering both clarity and authentic insight into human behaviour during a period of national crisis makes one think. Surely it couldn't happen again!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you've read any of Fallada's other books you'll like this one too.
It's longer, at almost 800 pages and much slower moving than is typical of the Author, but the quality of his prose never wavers and his brilliance is on every page.
It's Fallada's rich depth of characters, where even the simplest of people can at times be complex and his rich understanding of human nature and it's intricacies and foibles that make his writing so appealing.
Set in 1923, in a Germany whose economy has collapsed and poverty and crime are rampant everywhere. As are thieves, corruption and massive daily inflation.
There's rioting in the streets and soldiers living rough and foraging in the forests.
The book is subtle in its criticism of the Nazi's that were coming into power and becoming a monster with momentum, yet it is obvious enough to see it.
Published in 1938, it's easy to see how Fallada feared this book would cause him death by Nazi retribution.
Perhaps this is why previous versions of this book were heavily edited, with chapters missing. This is the whole and complete unabridged version and it's a cracking novel.
It's longer, at almost 800 pages and much slower moving than is typical of the Author, but the quality of his prose never wavers and his brilliance is on every page.
It's Fallada's rich depth of characters, where even the simplest of people can at times be complex and his rich understanding of human nature and it's intricacies and foibles that make his writing so appealing.
Set in 1923, in a Germany whose economy has collapsed and poverty and crime are rampant everywhere. As are thieves, corruption and massive daily inflation.
There's rioting in the streets and soldiers living rough and foraging in the forests.
The book is subtle in its criticism of the Nazi's that were coming into power and becoming a monster with momentum, yet it is obvious enough to see it.
Published in 1938, it's easy to see how Fallada feared this book would cause him death by Nazi retribution.
Perhaps this is why previous versions of this book were heavily edited, with chapters missing. This is the whole and complete unabridged version and it's a cracking novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fallada's novel confirmed J.M. Keynes's worst fears
Germany 1923: with exponential deflation, ever-rising poverty in the cities, and the French occupation of the Ruhr in the background, Fallada follows the fortunes of three... Read more
Published 6 months ago by G. John
I loved this book
I'm a big fan of Hans Fallada anyway so this book was fantastic for me. The characters were great (even the moody, childish Rittmeister and he's sneeky father-in-law von Teschow). Read more
Published 14 months ago by faerievampyr
An epic tale
This is a truly underrated book which tells the tale of two young people trying to survive during the Weimar Republic. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Byronic
Historical Caricatures
I love good historical fiction and was not dissapointed by Carstensen and Jacobs' translation of what is widely regarded as Fallada's best work. Read more
Published 22 months ago by SerjeantWildgoose
Time Capsule
This book has already been well reviewed by someone else. Actually I prefer "Alone in Berlin".
As it says in the Afterword this is "... Read more
As it says in the Afterword this is "... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Mrs. Audrey Williams
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