In this episode we discuss a topic still mostly avoided by Döblin scholars: his 35 year liaison with Yolla Niclas. How did it affect Alfred, Yolla and Erna? What impact did it have on Döblin's creativity? For further downloads including show transcripts and other translations visit www.beyond-alexanderplatz.com
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S2: Ep5 - The Conversion 1st July 2025
Döblin's conversion to Roman Catholicism in 1942 was a very risky move, likely to offend both Jews and secular artists/ writers. Here we look into the long prehistory of Alfred’s thinking about the individual’s place in the Cosmos, and the impact on his posthumous reputation. For further downloads including show transcripts and other translations visit […]
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S2: Ep4 - A Year in Hollywood 1st June 2025
A giant of modern European literature and thought, encounters Tinseltown – a lifeline for his family’s new exile existence, but an industrial-scale locus of “fraudulent wordsmithery”. And he narrowly misses out on an Oscar! For further downloads, extracts and the show transcript visit www.beyond-alexanderplatz.com
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S2: Ep3 - Fateful Journey (The Escape from France) 15th May 2025
In the summer of 1940 the Döblin family had to flee ahead of invading German forces, desperately casting about for safe haven options. Alfred, separated for weeks from his wife Erna and their youngest son – and with no news of two other sons serving in the French Army – suffered near-total physical, mental and […]
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S2: Ep2 - Seven Years in France (1933-1940) 1st May 2025
A settled-unsettled existence. How did Döblin apply his energies? How did he relate to various exile communities? And why, in his only meeting with James Joyce, did the two men “stare at one another and say nothing”? For further downloads, extracts and the show transcript visit www.beyond-alexanderplatz.com
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S2: Ep1 - Escape Into Exile 15th April 2025
We begin Season 2 with the nerve-wracking three days when Germany was turned upside down, and upstanding citizen Alfred Döblin had to flee for his life to safety in Switzerland - the start of what became 12 years of exile. Cloak-and-dagger action, and rapidly changing moods. For further downloads and extracts visit www.beyond-alexanderplatz.com
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S1: Ep10 - Things Fall Apart 15th April 2024
In this final episode of Season 1, we follow momentous changes in Döblin’s life as the Wall Street Crash causes economic havoc, while the unexpected windfall from Berlin Alexanderplatz enables the family to move to classy Berlin West – meaning an end to Alfred’s medical practice. For further downloads and extracts visit www.beyond-alexanderplatz.com
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S1: Ep9 - The Alexanderplatz Event 1st April 2024
In this episode we investigate the epic that brought Döblin to worldwide attention: Berlin Alexanderplatz. What led him to this remarkable work? How did he conjure up such a vivid noisy panorama of the Big City? How was it received? What impact did it have on his own life? And what challenges did it pose […]
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S1: Ep8 - Manas 15th March 2024
We discuss the most neglected of Döblin’s nine epic fictions: the verse epic set in a mythical Himalaya/North India. How did he come to this unusual format? How was it received? What’s it about? And why does Chris the translator feel so strongly about its neglect? The Reading presents a gripping dramatic episode on Shiva’s […]
Chris Godwin and Katie Kavanagh
S1: Ep7 - The Weimar Twenties 1st March 2024
The 1920s were the peak decade in Alfred Döblin’s life and career. Between 1919 (the end of the First World War) and 1929 (the publication of Berlin Alexanderplatz) he was triply engaged: as a writer; an activist; and a family man. We discuss living conditions in Berlin; the political ferment; troubles with censors; and family […]
Epic Worlds of Alfred Döblin