Isherwood's a great idea -- The Last of Mr. Norris, Goodbye to Berlin -- and so is anything by Heinrich Böll. And why not Too Much of Nothing, by Michael Scott Moore?
Sorry, that was shameless. The book's not even about Germany. But it has some Germans in it.
Holiday reading is a bit of a personal thing I guess. Cheap paperbacks are cool as you dont mind swapping them with other travellers on route. Most German cities have a few of those Penguin Classics in a big bookstore, which only cost a few Euros so read them and pass them on. If you want books on Germany then Id recommend two at the minute (there must be loads I cant think of off hand)
Günther Grass - My Century
This is a collection of stories for every year of the last century based in Germany and if you manage to get used to the style then you are addicted after the first 5 chapters. A nice insight into the changes in the country over the last 100 years.
Anna Funder - Stasiland
Havent finished this one yet but its going Ok so far and those who have recommend it fully. An interesting insight into the history and workings of the secret police in the old East Germany.
Oh, Grass and Funder are great suggestions, I didn't even think of them! (Probably because I have been dragging my feet and haven't read them myself yet...Bad.)
Comments
Goodbye To Berlin by Christopher Isherwood.
A fairly prosaic choice, I know, but it's a highly enjoyable read.
Posted by: craig at May 6, 2005 04:03 AM
Isherwood's a great idea -- The Last of Mr. Norris, Goodbye to Berlin -- and so is anything by Heinrich Böll. And why not Too Much of Nothing, by Michael Scott Moore?
Sorry, that was shameless. The book's not even about Germany. But it has some Germans in it.
Posted by: Michael Scott Moore at May 7, 2005 11:30 AM
Shameless perhaps, but not unwelcome! : ) Thanks for the suggestions, y'all, I'll pass them on.
Posted by: Heather![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.hemmungen.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 7, 2005 12:43 PM
harry potter? uh? *duck*
Posted by: rene at May 9, 2005 11:36 AM
Hm. I love me some Harry Potter, but they're not the most handy of books to carry.
Posted by: Heather at May 9, 2005 12:30 PM
Holiday reading is a bit of a personal thing I guess. Cheap paperbacks are cool as you dont mind swapping them with other travellers on route. Most German cities have a few of those Penguin Classics in a big bookstore, which only cost a few Euros so read them and pass them on. If you want books on Germany then Id recommend two at the minute (there must be loads I cant think of off hand)
Günther Grass - My Century
This is a collection of stories for every year of the last century based in Germany and if you manage to get used to the style then you are addicted after the first 5 chapters. A nice insight into the changes in the country over the last 100 years.
Anna Funder - Stasiland
Havent finished this one yet but its going Ok so far and those who have recommend it fully. An interesting insight into the history and workings of the secret police in the old East Germany.
Hope these help.
Posted by: Doughnut Boy Andy at May 13, 2005 09:41 AM
Oh, Grass and Funder are great suggestions, I didn't even think of them! (Probably because I have been dragging my feet and haven't read them myself yet...Bad.)
Posted by: Heather![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.hemmungen.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at May 13, 2005 09:51 AM