Berlin Alexanderplatz is a novel by Alfred Döblin, published in 1929. The story concerns a small-time criminal, Franz Biberkopf, fresh from prison, who is drawn into the underworld. When his criminal mentor murders the prostitute whom Biberkopf has been relying on as an anchor, he realizes that he will be unable to extricate himself from the underworld into which he has sunk. Alfred Döblin (August 10, 1878 – June 26, 1957) was a German expressionist novelist, best known for Berlin Alexanderplatz. ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The novel is set in the working class Alexanderplatz district of 1920s Berlin. Its narrative style is reminiscent of James Joyce - In fact, Döblin had already finished the work when he read Ulysses which inspired him to radically rewrite his own book. It is told from multiple points of view, and uses sound effects, newspaper articles, songs, speeches, and other books to propel the plot forward. The term working class is used to denote a social class. ... Alexanderplatz from Fernsehturm Alexanderplatz is a large open square and public transport hub in central Berlin, near the Spree river and the Berliner Dom. ... The Golden Twenties, in Berlin, Germany, were an exciting and extremely vibrant time in the history of Berlin, German history, and European history in general. ... James Augustine Aloysius Joyce (2 February 1882 – 13 January 1941) was an expatriate Irish writer and poet, widely considered to be one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. ... Ulysses is a 1922 novel by James Joyce, first serialized in parts in the American journal The Little Review from 1918 to 1920, and published in its entirety by Sylvia Beach in 1922, Paris. ... In literature and storytelling, a point of view is the related experience of the narrator — not that of the author. ...

The novel was adapted twice into a movie, the first called Berlin - Alexanderplatz, in 1931. Döblin worked on the adaptation, along with Karl Heinz Martin and Hans Wilhelm. It was directed by Piel Jutzi, and starred Heinrich George, Maria Bard, Margarete Schlegel, Bernhard Minetti, Gerhard Bienert, Albert Florath and Paul Westermeier. It ran 85 minutes. 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1931 calendar). ... Heinrich George (October 9, 1893 - September 26, 1946) was a German actor. ...

The second adaptation was by Rainer Werner Fassbinder. Released in 1980, it ran 15 1/2 hours in length and is considered, by many, to be his magnum opus. Originally broadcast in 1980, this television mini-series was adapted and directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and starred Günter Lamprecht, Hanna Schygulla, Barbara Sukowa, Elisabeth Trissenaar and Gottfried John. ...