Sitemap

10 German Books You Have To Read Before You Die

These ten novels, ranging from the late 19th century to the last couple of years, are modern German classics. Earning international acclaim, each one is essential reading. This list takes a whistlestop tour through Germany’s most influential books and authors

1. DIE BLECHTROMMEL (THE TIN DRUM) BY GÜNTER GRASS (1959)

In Die Blechtrommel, Oskar Matzerath narrates his life story from a mental hospital in the early 1950s.

Born in 1924, Matzerath decided at the age of three to stop growing, retaining the stature of a child whilst having an adult’s capacity for thought. Nobel Prize-winning author Günter Grass’ most famous novel is not the easiest of reads, but it is definitely worth the effort.

The book “most completely defines the [20th century] in all its glories and catastrophes – the moods, atmospheres, manias, streams, currents, histories and under-histories,” writes The Guardian.

2. DER TOD IN VENEDIG (DEATH IN VENICE) BY THOMAS MANN (1912)

Buddenbrooks and Der Zauberberg (The Magic Mountain) are probably Thomas Mann’s most renowned novels.

But to get a taste of Mann’s writing, Der Tod in Venedig is a good place to start.

Gustav von Aschenbach is a famous writer who takes a summer holiday in Venice. During one dinner, he notices an exceptionally beautiful adolescent boy.

He becomes obsessed from a distance, shutting out the ominous news of a danger spreading through the city.

3. DER VORLESER (THE READER) BY BERNHARD SCHLINK (1995)

In the late 1950s, 15-year-old West German Michael Berg finds himself in a passionate but secret love affair with a woman who is over 20 years his senior, leaving him confused yet enthralled.

As a law student several years later, he is observing a trial when he realises that the woman in the dock is his former lover. But the woman on trial is a very different person to the one he thought he knew.

Der Vorleser belongs to the genre of Vergangenheitsbewältigung – a term used to describe post-war attempts to come to terms with the Nazi past – and is one of the best known examples outside of Germany. In 1997 it became the first ever German book to top the New York Times bestseller list, and Kate Winslet won an Oscar for her performance in the 2008 film adaptation.

The book has, however, come in for staunch criticism, as critics claim it encourages identification with the perpetrators of the Holocaust.

4. IM WESTEN NICHTS NEUES (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT) BY ERICH MARIA REMARQUE (1929)

One of the most well-known books about the First World War, Remarque’s novel tells the story of German soldier Paul Bäumer, giving a human perspective to the mass of fighting in Europe between 1914 and 1918. Remarque was himself a veteran of the war, and he wrote and published the book a decade after its conclusion.

The novel zooms in to the daily life of an army private, detailing both the violence of battle and the mundaneness of life on the front.

Published in 1929, it quickly received international acclaim, being translated into 22 different languages and selling 2.5 million copies in the first 18 months.

It was also one of the first books banned and burned by the Nazis for being “degenerate.”

5. DAS PARFUM (PERFUME) BY PATRICK SÜSKIND (1985)

Whereas most good novels manage to conjure up images in your head, Das Parfum also conjures up scents and smells that waft up from the page.

Following the journey of a boy with an exquisite sense of smell which drives him to gruesome deeds, Süskind’s novel transports you back to 18th century France, and the sprawling, stinking city of Paris.

When it was published in 1985, Das Parfum shot to the top of the best-seller tables. It stayed on Der Spiegel’s bestseller list for eight consecutive years, also experiencing great success internationally.

You will not regret picking up this gripping yet grotesque read.

6. AUSTERLITZ BY W.G. SEBALD (2001)

W.G. Sebald’s fourth and final novel before his untimely death in a car crash in 2001 is a challenging but unquestionably rewarding book. He lived in southeast England for the majority of his life as a university professor, and the breadth and depth of his knowledge shared in the novel could only be that of an academic.

The novel traces the journey of Jacques Austerlitz, a man who arrived in Britain in 1939 as a young boy from Prague. Through a series of lengthy conversations with the narrator, Austerlitz slowly reveals his life story.

Sebald’s unusual style has been described as its own genre: dense and slightly old-fashioned, it still captivates the reader and leads them on a fascinating journey through the history of Europe.

7. DIE VERWANDLUNG (METAMORPHOSIS) BY FRANZ KAFKA (1915)

Franz Kafka was born in 1883 in Prague, now capital of the Czech Republic.

At the time, Prague was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Kafka wrote in German. He is now regarded as one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century, and the adjective “Kafkaesque” – meaning nightmarishly complex and oppressive – is taken from the themes of his works.

Die Verwandlung is probably his most famous work, and many are familiar with the bizarre first line: “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect-like creature.”

Don’t expect this novella to get any less nightmarish from thereon in.

8. BERLIN ALEXANDER PLATZ BY ALFRED DÖBLIN (1929)

The year 1929 – when Berlin Alexanderplatz was published – was the highpoint of the Weimar Republic, before it all came tumbling down with the Wall Street Crash. Berlin was like no other city in the late 1920s: diverse, liberal and often debauched.

This iconic novel narrates the story of ex-convict Franz Biberkopf who, after being released from prison in Berlin, swears that he will live an upstanding and decent life. He is soon, however, plunged into the capital’s louche but exhilarating underworld. Döblin’s novel was voted one of “The top 100 books of all time”, on a list compiled in 2002 by The Guardian.

9. IMPERIUM (IMPERIUM: A FICTION OF THE SOUTH SEAS) BY CHRISTIAN KRACHT (2012)

In Imperium, a vegetarian nudist from Nuremberg sets sail for a South Pacific island to set up a religion worshipping coconuts and the sun. Sounds like absurdist fiction? Kracht’s novel Imperium is actually based on a true story.

In this witty and ironic book, Kracht – one of modern German literature’s most elusive figures – tells more than just the surprising yet true story of this extreme figure. He also deals with extremist movements of the 20th century, as well as offering other interesting insights.

10. EFFI BRIEST BY THEODOR FONTANE (1896)

Written at the end of the 19th century, Fontane’s novel tells the story of a way of life that was also on its way out, with the unification of Germany and its rapid modernisation.

Effi Briest is a young girl from traditional Prussian noblility, who is married off to a considerably older official. Although a devoted servant to the state, her husband is less loving towards his wife, which leads to great problems.

This poignant work is seen as one of the great German realist masterpieces, and a beautiful yet tragic story of two people caught up in the shackles of society.

By Alexander Johnstone

Related Articles

Germany Introduces 200-euro Culture Pass For 18-year-olds

The German cultural pilot scheme aims to encourage teenagers to embrace live culture, and jump start the cultural economy post-pandemic recovery. In Germany, around three-quarters...

Homemade German Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut might not be the national dish of Germany, but in the U.S., it is the one food most associated with German cuisine. It is...

15 Different Types Of German Sausage: Names, History & Origin

Besides beautiful gothic & medieval architectural structures, football, and beer, German sausage also features among the country’s top attractions. Here are the very best, from...

German Companies Looking For Suppliers From Serbia, Western Balkans Countries

The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbia), representatives of the German economy in the countries of the Western Balkans, the Chamber of Commerce of...

Reception On The Occasion Of The Day Of German Unity Held In Belgrade

On the occasion of the Day of German Unity, in the Botanical Garden in Belgrade, the Embassy of Germany organized a reception. Ambassador of Germany...

H.E. Ms. Anke Konrad, Ambassador Of Germany To Serbia

Germany Stands Ready & Prepared To Support Serbia

I am glad to come to Serbia, a country with which we have been sharing excellent political, economic and cultural relations for many years....

Milan Grujić, President Of The German-Serbian Chamber Of Commerce (AHK Serbia)

Investment Interest Growing And Remaining

One piece of good news is that German companies are extremely satisfied with their investments in Serbia and would consider investing further and again....

Alexander Markus, AHK Serbia Executive Board Member

Riding Turbulent Times

Unfortunately for Ukraine, German companies are relocating from Ukraine to Western Balkan countries in order to build up another nearshoring option not too far...

More...

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner For Innovation, Research, Culture, Education And Youth

Promised And Delivered!

There are many examples of excellent cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries in the portfolio of the European Commissioner for Innovation,...

Commemorating the 140th anniversary of the birth of Nikos Kazantzakis

From Controversial Thinker To Cultural Treasure

You may have heard of Nikos Kazantzakis, but where has this most celebrated name crossed your path? Perhaps at the airport that’s named after...

Jelena Medaković,, Director Of The Belgrade City Museum

Prioritising Community Wellbeing

The wellbeing of the community must be a priority and goal for all of us, especially in the public sector. It is with this...

Art

10 Great Women Sculptors You Should Know

Sculpture is a very impressive form of art, dating back to ancient times. Just like traditionally in painting, art history has acknowledged mainly male...

News

Serbia Is Spain’s Main Foreign Trade Partner In The Western Balkans

Serbia is the main foreign trade partner of Spain in the Western Balkans and is responsible for more than...

Đukanović And Milatović In The Second Round Of Presidential Elections In Montenegro

According to preliminary data from the Montenegrin Monitoring Center (CeMI), based on 95.5 per cent of the processed sample,...

In 2022 Norway Earned Five Times More From The Sale Of Oil And Gas

In 2022, Norway earned five times more from the sale of oil and gas compared to previous years, thanks...

Dragan Džajić The New President Of The Football Association Of Serbia

Dragan Džajić, one of the best football players from this area of ​​all time, was elected unanimously, with 78...

Companies From Serbia Expect Jobs Worth 10 Million Euros After Successful Dubai Fair

Companies from Serbia that presented their export offer at the recently held International Food Industry Fair "Gulfood" in Dubai...

Serbia Is Spain’s Main Foreign Trade Partner In The Western Balkans

Serbia is the main foreign trade partner of Spain in the Western Balkans and is responsible for more than...

Đukanović And Milatović In The Second Round Of Presidential Elections In Montenegro

According to preliminary data from the Montenegrin Monitoring Center (CeMI), based on 95.5 per cent of the processed sample,...

In 2022 Norway Earned Five Times More From The Sale Of Oil And Gas

In 2022, Norway earned five times more from the sale of oil and gas compared to previous years, thanks...

Dragan Džajić The New President Of The Football Association Of Serbia

Dragan Džajić, one of the best football players from this area of ​​all time, was elected unanimously, with 78...

Companies From Serbia Expect Jobs Worth 10 Million Euros After Successful Dubai Fair

Companies from Serbia that presented their export offer at the recently held International Food Industry Fair "Gulfood" in Dubai...

Serbia Is Spain’s Main Foreign Trade Partner In The Western Balkans

Serbia is the main foreign trade partner of Spain in the Western Balkans and is responsible for more than...

Đukanović And Milatović In The Second Round Of Presidential Elections In Montenegro

According to preliminary data from the Montenegrin Monitoring Center (CeMI), based on 95.5 per cent of the processed sample,...

In 2022 Norway Earned Five Times More From The Sale Of Oil And Gas

In 2022, Norway earned five times more from the sale of oil and gas compared to previous years, thanks...

Dragan Džajić The New President Of The Football Association Of Serbia

Dragan Džajić, one of the best football players from this area of ​​all time, was elected unanimously, with 78...

Companies From Serbia Expect Jobs Worth 10 Million Euros After Successful Dubai Fair

Companies from Serbia that presented their export offer at the recently held International Food Industry Fair "Gulfood" in Dubai...