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Isherwood's novel piquantly evokes the atmosphere of Berlin during the rise of the Nazis. It is often cited as one of the inspirations for the musical Cabaret.

Written in 1935 and often paired with another book, Goodbye to Berlin, this evocative novel by Christopher Isherwood was one of the sources for the musical Cabaret.

Isherwood travelled to Berlin in 1929 with WH Auden, and his recollections of this sojourn doubtless inspired the book. It was a critical and popular success at the time of publication, but later Isherwood had problems with his own work and said it was "heartless". It remains an intriguing snapshot of Berlin as the Nazis slowly rose to power.

Abridged by Lucy Ellis
Read by Joseph Kloska
Produced by Clive Brill

A Brill production for BBC Radio 4

14 minutes

Last on

Mon 12 Feb 202422:45
BBC Radio 4

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  • Mon 12 Feb 202422:45
    BBC Radio 4