Goodbye to Berlin

This is a series of excellent stories that are about Berlin between World War I and World War II. The author is Christopher Isherwood, an Anglo American. As I understand it the stories are semi autobiographical. The stories mix the political descent into Nazism with the decadent underbelly of Berlin Society. I found the stories fascinating and very well written. Apparently they were the inspiration for “Cabaret” which I have not as of yet seen. I also listened to an abridged version of these stories narrated by Michael York. They were also excellent but, I emphasize, abridged. Thank You.

This is a semi-autobiographical book by author Christopher Isherwood of his time spent in and around Berlin in the 1930s. He writes as a Hemingway type expat about various people he meets, places he stays, and his impressions of early Nazi Germany. The chapter titled Sally Bowles is the basis for the movie Cabaret (and an earlier British film, I Am A Camera), and the colorful story vividly brings Liza Minnelli's Sally to life as she portrayed her perfectly on film. The book is told in rambling style as the author moves along from place to place & person to person, a few characters recurring but many new encounters on his way through Berlin's increasingly pro-Nazi café society.

I dare you to read this book without picturing Liza Minelli. The chapter on Sally Bowles clearly demonstrated how well the actor studied her part. You may tire of the word "marvellous" but it's part of her charm. On the other hand, there are many inklings of the oncoming National Socialism and antisemitism that give the book a haunting look into what was soon to come to Germany. Isherwood has a splendid knack for describing characters both through physical description and unique voices. He is a master observer of those he encountered without covering up their flaws and quirks.

Christopher Isherwood travelled extensively in his youth and most importantly he was in pre-Nazi Germany in the 1930's. You get a first hand look at how the Nazi Party slowly engulphed all Germans in their collective madness; eugenics, ethnic cleansing, nationalism and isolationism. Frightening and compelling at the same time. Important reading for the 21st century political landscape!

The only mildly engaging parts were the one where he lives with the Nowaks and the final few pages about the rise of the Nazis to power in Berlin. But I guess being engaging is not what this book is about. It's about being disengaged and floating through life in a big city, even in turbulent times. As the author admits in the Author's Note, this material is just a collection of scraps from a larger work he abandoned.I'd put off reading this material for years because of all the mixed reviews. The "Christopher and His Kind" movie inspired me to read this.The introduction by the actor, Allan Cumming, is ridiculously over-the-top and gushing. Shameless hype. The publisher should be ashamed of themselves.One can't help but wonder that there must be better books by people that lived through those times and in that place, Berlin. But they're probably all very serious and politically committed. So I guess Isherwood does provide a unique vantage point since he just casually floats through it all.

Although this is a fairly slim volume, it nevertheless is an early work from one of the better English writers of the 20th Century. Beautifully written, it tells of his life in Berlin prior to the second world war, and at a time when he was always short of money. He then earned his living teaching English to Berliners. The book touches on the rise of Hitler's Nazi party and the abominable treatment of the Jews by the German people. Isherwood's command of language is only partly the reason why I recommend this fascinating book of experiences to lovers of quality writing, it is also an interesting slice of life from a time when human behaviour was at its worst. The book incidentally, formed the basis of the Broadway show 'Cabaret' which was later turned into a film.

I bought this book as preparation for a role in "Cabaret" at our community theatre. The story is fascinating and the writing is beautiful.

Isherwood has a gift for describing flawed characters is such a way that you can't but be intrigued by them. Eventually, you really like them, flaws and all. This is the book that introduced the world to Sally Bowles and Isherwood's depiction of Sally leaves you wanting more, which is probably why it's the source material for Cabaret. The people he meets are as unpredictable and the times in which they live. The rise of the Nazis is only a backdrop for this book, but it clearly shapes his encounters and his time in Berlin.

Not started yet, but looking forward to reading the source book for several stage adaptations. I saw the musical version "Cabaret" recently, had also seen the film with Liza Minelli and the play "I am a Camera". All memorable in their own ways.

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. It exceeded my expectations. The first time, in a long time, that I found difficulty in putting the book down.

El libro en el que se inspiró el musical Cabaret, fantástico sobre todo para amantes del musical, fácil de leer

An excellent and overlooked 20th century author. Isherwood's fluid prose draws the reader into seedy 1930's Berlin. This inspirational source eclipses Cabaret, both the movie and the play.

Muito bons os perfis psicológicos dos personagens. Linguagem limitada pelo moralismo de então, mas esta otimo para algo escrito há mais de 80 anos.