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The Berlin Novels
The Berlin Novels | Christopher Isherwood
10 posts | 21 read | 15 to read
MR NORRIS CHANGES TRAINS The first of Christopher Isherwood's classic 'Berlin' novels, this portrays the encounter and growing friendship between young William Bradshaw and the urbane and mildly sinister Mr Norris. Piquant, witty and oblique, it vividly evokes the atmosphere of pre-war Berlin, and forcefully conveys an ironic political parable. GOODBYE TO BERLIN The inspiration for the stage and screen musical Cabaret and for the play I Am a Camera, this novel remains one of the most powerful of the century, a haunting evocation of the gathering storm of the Nazi terror. Told in a series of wry, detached and impressionistic vignettes, it is an unforgettable portrait of bohemian Berlin - a city and a world on the very brink of ruin.
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GerardtheBookworm
The Berlin Stories | Christopher Isherwood
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An omnibus classic that combines two novels into one and was inspired by real-life people that author Isherwood encountered. In Mr Norris Changes Trains, a British expatriate meets an enigmatic man named Norris who is concealing secrets. In Goodbye to Berlin, the reader is introduced to a cast of Bohemian characters who would later influence the musical Cabaret.

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Susanita
The Berlin Novels | Christopher Isherwood
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As expected, I didn‘t do as well with actually watching the movies in which last week‘s songs appeared. My score is 52/100, and on the flip side I caught a few songs I missed that would have made last week‘s score higher. 😂

I‘m highlighting movies on my TBW to prioritize based on the survey. Link to the AFI survey: https://shorturl.at/HXD3g

1. Cabaret
2. Singin‘ in the Rain
3. Moulin Rouge
Plus the second half of Gigi.

wanderinglynn Yes, the second half of Gigi 😆 I totally agree on that! 3mo
dabbe Love GIGI, but it is LONG! Thanks for playing and sharing! 🧡🩶🧡 3mo
24 likes2 comments
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AnneCecilie
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The Berlin Novels consists of Mr Norris Changes Trains and Goodbye to Berlin.

Both are written in the early 30s so while these are vastly different in some ways, as I read you feel the atmosphere of the 30s Berlin; some of the roaring 20s, the poverty and the political chaos (the Weimar, the Communists and the Nazis). It is a little strange reading how people think the Nazis will disappear knowing what happened.

AnneCecilie In Mr Norris our protagonist Mr Bradshaw meets Mr Norris on the train, and they start meeting. Mr Bradshaw might have gotten in over his head. Goodbye feels more biographical as it‘s Mr Isherwood that tells the stories and they are mostly about the people he meet. #foodandlit #Germany @Texreader @Catsandbooks #1935 #192025 @Librarybelle 17th and 19th book for #WinterReadathon @DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES 2y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 2y
Andrew65 What a cover! Well done ☃️☃️☃️ 2y
Librarybelle Hooray!! 2y
Catsandbooks Great review! 🇩🇪 2y
55 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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scripturient-ink
The Berlin Novels | Christopher Isherwood
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This might just be the last book for the thesis. Four weeks to go. I can't wait to be done with all of this.
[Currently listening to: Dying In A Hot Tub by Palaye Royale]

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Leftcoastzen
The Berlin Stories | Christopher Isherwood
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#MusicalNewYear #Cabaret If you haven‘t read the Isherwood book do yourself a favor and read it.I saw the movie first, and I have to say when I was unboxing my long stored LPs , I put it on right away!Oh Liza!yes go ahead and give her the Oscar.Would love to see Alan Cumming rock the MC, though I love Joel Grey!

Cinfhen I forget about Joel Grey🙌🏻❣️ 6y
vivastory Love the musical, need to read the book 6y
Weaponxgirl I‘m so jealous of that record! 😍 I always love reading your posts 6y
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Leftcoastzen @Cinfhen Love him! It‘s one of my sing and dance in the living room records! 6y
Leftcoastzen @vivastory The book is different, but Isherwood captures the essence of what was going on in Germany and why he had to leave. 6y
Leftcoastzen @Weaponxgirl Thanks , very kind of you to say so.I know the soundtrack is available on iTunes, It‘s wonderful. 6y
Weaponxgirl @Leftcoastzen I‘m a vinyl girl myself, iTunes just isn‘t the same 😉 6y
49 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Waynegjr
The Berlin Stories | Christopher Isherwood
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Some of the best character descriptions ever, hands down. For instance: “Otto has a face like a very ripe peach.”

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JazzFeathers
The Berlin Novels | Christopher Isherwood
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#JuneBookBugs #LGBTQauthors

Another book l want to read as research for my 1920s Berlin story. I have never read Isherwood but for some reason, l'm so excited to read him soon

And with this, l should be all caught up with the June challenges. Now let me finish None of Us the Same an movement on to the #AsSeenOnTv readathon 😆🙌

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Hobbinol
The Berlin Stories | Christopher Isherwood
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And just one more post about Isherwood. This photo is attached to his declaration of intent to become an American citizen. He is 5'8" tall (my height too) with "grey-blue" eyes, "light brown " hair and a pensive expression.

I've been wanting to read these Berlin Stories forever. Sometimes your life just screams out for Sally Bowles...

JazzFeathers Berlin Stories are on my immediate TBR too... though unfirtunately, l don't know how long that 'immefiate' will last 😶 8y
Hobbinol @JazzFeathers I hear ya. We have the same time frame then😊 8y
CherylDeFranceschi I adore The Berlin Stories. Pretty confident that you will, too. 😉 8y
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ReadingEnvy I have this on my pile, should find out tomorrow if I have an upcoming trip to Berlin! 8y
Hobbinol @CherylDeFranceschi I think it's a good match--Especially with your endorsement! 8y
Hobbinol @ReadingEnvy 💚💚💚Green hearts for my Berlin-envy... fingers crossed for you! 8y
50 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Hobbinol
The Berlin Stories | Christopher Isherwood
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This passenger list finds two writers --pardon the expression--in the same boat. On the first line you find WH Auden, and on the last Christopher Isherwood. They are on the ship Empress Asia leaving Shanghai for Vancouver in June of 1938.

#WritersOnVacation

rubyslippersreads And poor Catherine, who is "Bookless," a terrible thing on a long voyage. ? 8y
Hobbinol @rubyslippersreads 😂I wonder what her maiden name was... 8y
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