Weimar Berlin, 1924 Unemployed actors, profiteers, cabaret girls, and impoverished aristocracy – out of this wild set of characters populating Weimar Berlin, Margarete Gräfin von Steinhoff belongs to the latter category. Having lost everything due to hyper-inflation, she considers jumping into the freezing waters of the Spree rather than facing the humiliating existence shared by millions of her … millions of her fellow Germans. However, a chance meeting makes her change her mind at the last moment and offers her a chance to rely on the help of the metropolis itself, where anything can be sold and bought for money and where connections are everything. The bustling nightlife of cosmopolitan Berlin, with its casinos and dance halls, brings good income for the ones who don’t burden themselves too heavily with morals.
After a New Year’s Eve party, Margot finally meets her ever-absent and mysterious neighbor, Paul Schneider, who makes a living by producing a certain type of film for his rich clientele. Under his guidance, Margot discovers a new passion of hers – photography and soon, her talents are noticed by the prominent newspaper, Berliner Tageblatt itself. But being an official photographer of the most celebrated events of the La Scala and most famous Berlin theaters no longer satisfies Margot’s ambitions. As soon as the chance presents itself for her to get involved with the cinematography on the set of “Metropolis” – the film with the highest budget ever produced by the UFA – Margot jumps at it, without thinking twice. At the same time, Paul becomes involved with a rival project, “The Holy Mountain,” which stars an as yet unknown actress and an emerging director in, Leni Riefenstahl. As the two women meet, professional rivalry soon turns into a true friendship, fueled by their passion for cinematography. However, due to the economic woes facing Germany, both projects soon run out of money and now, both film crews must go to extreme lengths to save their respective productions.
Set against the backdrop of a decadent, vibrant, and fascinatingly liberal Weimar Berlin, “Metropolis” is a novel of survival, self-discovery, and self-sacrifice, in the name of art, love, and friendship.
more
If you are interested in history, Germany in the 20 and 30 or liked Babylon Berlin on Netflix this is a book for you. Sequel comes out may 18
The story, set in 1924 Weimar Berlin, follows the life of Margot. From contemplating suicide to a successful career the story brings us through the perils faced by a woman in the times. Beautiful and descriptive scenes, colorful and endearing characters, and history all wrapped up in one great read. This was my first book by author Ellie Midwood, it will not be my last.
Interesting recounting if the filming of Metropolis and Fritz Lang and photo crew.
Set in Weimar Germany in 1926, this book is an absorbing read.
Ellie Midwood is such an authentic storyteller. Her research is top notch and the historical elements are seamlessly interlaced. Set in Berlin in the 1920’s, this book follows the rise of photographer Margot where she eventually gets to the work on set of a ground-breaking film for the day, Metropolis. I felt like I was there, walking down the city streets with all the vibrant nightlife as well as the poverty and subtle threat of the Nazis that give us a prelude of what is yet to come. Margot is a strong, feisty woman (especially for her time) and as a reader, I cheered when she finally finds love with Paul the photographer. Looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. A deeply thought out story, sympathetic to the time and so realistic. Highly recommended.
Interesting story
Two people in post-WWI Berlin save each other from ending their own lives and begin making a life together. As they are drawn in different directions, their stories become increasingly complex.
Margot is, technically, a baroness – which is at times an asset, one she doesn’t hesitate to use to her advantage. Since the title now comes without any estate, those times are fewer and farther between than might be expected.
She does, however, learn to be an accomplished photographer, both stills and motion pictures. Becoming involved (as a photographer) with two high-profile producers working on two movies provides her with real meaning. Becoming involved (not as a photographer) with the photographer who taught her provides her with, shall we say, personal satisfaction.
Metropolis provides an insight into the artistic world of Weimar Germany in the 1920’s, at a time when the Nazis were troublesome outsiders instead of the all-encompassing threat they later became. It’s a fascinating read and I recommend it.
Welcome to Throwback Thursday. Our Gem this evening takes us back to 1930’s Berlin. It is a beautiful rare black diamond, set in an engagement ring. It once belonged to the Margarete Gräfin von Steinhoff . Go ahead, slide it over your claw for a moment. Feel the vibrations? The hesitancy, the worry, the sheer will power and class of the owner thrums through this ring. Hard to believe it’s owner once was only seconds away from committing suicide, eh? This is Dragon Feeder and Gem Maker Ellie Midwood’s “Metropolis”.
Ellie Midwood is a name familiar here. For you newer Book Dragon’s, she is called by the title Dragon Feeder because this is her second tale to be reviewed here. The first – “Auschwitz Syndrome” was on here some weeks back. This tale is the story of Margarete Gräfin von Steinhoff , former Countess, then Jazz Singer, now photographer.
This story is a page turner extraordinaire. It opens with Margarete (Margot to her friends) in the process of committing suicide and takes us all the way to the set of Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis”. If you have never watched this silent classic, I would suggest you read Ellie’s book first, then watch it. But watch it nonetheless. It is a masterpiece and has been restored the past few years. It looks as though it was made last week, it’s that good. But, I digress, let us go back to this tale.
Margot guides us through post WWI Berlin. People fell into one of two categories, the starving masses or the richest of the rich. She shows us both sides of the coin. There is ugliness and beauty in both. The trick it to find the beauty. The true beauty. It is not always where we expect it.
Ellie has once again, created a Gem. Her storyline is perfect. Her characters are lively, I wanted nearly all of them to survive, it’s not a good book to me if there are not at least one or two beings we could at least do with them moving far away. Ellie gives us those characters, as well. Margot’s fellow residents in her apartment building are a cast of characters that will make you wish you had lived there. They are much more varied and interesting than the ones I shared space with in my old multi-cave after Dragon School.
She creates post WWI Berlin with all it’s wrinkles and moles. This is no Disneyland. She exposes the good, the bad and the ugly. The trips through the ghettos. The parties at the homes of the rich. The streets of prostitutes, the restaurants of wealthy. The communist meetings, the beginnings of the National Socialists German Workers Party or Nazi Party, which would change in a few years to drop the workers to bring in the capital it needed to keep functioning. And then she met Paul Schneider who taught her photography and changed her world.
The story is tight and weaves seamlessly from one episode in Margot’s journey to another. This feels like real life. I couldn’t turn pages fast enough. I wanted more. And I am happy to report, there is more coming as this is the first in a two part journey. Get your copy today! It is currently available in Kindle (on sale for 3.99) or free on KU to borrow – I say buy it, I know I want to read it again. And in paperback for a truly reasonable price.
Until tomorrow I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a copy of this book as part of the Metropolis Book Tour through #Metropolis #EllieMidwood #HFVBTBlogTours. My opinions are my own.
Ellie Midwood is one of my all-time favorite historical novelists. I will seriously read anything this woman writes. I get giddy with each new release and her latest, Metropolis, just might be my favorite so far. Then again, I say that every time I read a new book by her 🙂
Ellie’s novels are set during one of the most awful events in our history, but she is always sure to bring stories of hope, resilience, and love to counter that. And that’s why I love her books so much.
For some reason, I feel like starting this review Sophia Petrillo style…
“Picture it….Berlin, 1924. A young girl, her body too thin with a pocket full of rocks sits on a bridge, intending to end her life by jumping into the Spree, when a chance meeting with stranger intent on the same mission as her, stops her. They both decide to go for a coffee instead. What a heck of an opener, right!?
And the story just keeps getting better and more exciting from there. I inhaled Metropolis in one sitting. There was no way I was putting that book down! It was a fabulous reading experience from the first page to the last.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next book from Ellie, and I highly recommend you checking out Metropolis! You will be hooked!
What a start to a book! It hooks you and reels you in from the very first page. I’ve read a number of books by this author and they vary between very good and great. None of them have I been able to put down and this one is no exception.
I didn’t think I would like reading books about the war, but this author puts a different slant on it, she explores a side that is usually overlooked. She manages to make the story come to life and it’s hard to believe she isn’t writing biographies. Reading the part at the end where she tells the reader about the real characters she researched and based her books on is as interesting as the books themselves.
This book, however, focuses on the times between the two world wars rather than talking about events during WW2. As a result, it lacks the horror and overwhelming sadness of her other books, so if you find reading about what really went on during the world wars difficult, give this book a go. It will introduce you to a great author without putting you off reading more. You will become addicted and want to read more. This is the first in a series and I’m really looking forward to finding out what happens to the characters as WW2 approaches.
Ellie Midwood is one of my favorite authors. After reading Auschwitz Syndrome: A Holocaust Novel Based on a True Story (Women and the Holocaust, Book #3), I fell in love with Midwood’s fantastic writing that is full of heart, creative, and vivid. Midwood’s brilliance is her ability to transport the reader to any place and to any time. In METROPOLIS, Midwood takes me to the Berlin 1924.
The story opens with “Margot” Margarete von Steinhoff and Ernst Weginer having a chance meeting at the edge of the freezing waters of the Spree having both decided to end their lives that night. Margot losing everything she has including her home and Ernst back from the war with not a penny to his name. Margot’s father lost three of their factories and kills himself from the staggering inflation that is due to the government printing tremendous amounts of currency to pay reparations but has back fired and have affected most of the middle class families.
But another thing was happening in Berlin at that time and that is the development of a sophisticated and innovative culture in literature, film, painting and music, a movement called German Expressionism in the Weimar Republic. Metropolis was a huge project by the UFA that cost over 5 million Reichsmarks to produce. Within the realm of this historical backdrop, Midwood was able to give her readers a beautiful glimpse into this fictional world surrounding an amazingly resilient woman whose story is simply irresistible and addicting.
I absolutely loved this amazing book and love Midwood. An auto buy author for me and one that will continue to surpass my expectations. What a brilliant writer and another book I was truly mesmerized.
I highly recommend this book!!
A brilliant, enthralling story that swept me in from the very first page. It was atmospheric and fast-paced, the words like music …
Midwood has outdone herself with Metropolis! I love how we get a glimpse of another side of life during the rise of Nazi Germany. Margot is brilliant and relatable and inspiring, and I loved the relationships she forged and the obstacles she had to work through.
The themes of overcoming hardship and female fortitude and friendship tugged at my heart and kept me turning pages into the night. What an incredible, perfectly crafted story!
I’m delighted to learn this is the just the first book in the series – can’t wait for Metropolis 2!
Metropolis takes place in the years between WWI and WWII Berlin. The story is filled with characters caught up in a world full of uncertainty and political upheaval, yet the characters themselves are still full of love and hope.
Ellie Midwood has written a wonderful story about a time period not often covered. The reader will find themself transported back in time with Margot, Paul, Werner and Lani. You will root for their success and literally feel their concern for the things happening in the world around them.
I enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next book. This book is definitely worth the read if you’re a fan of this time period, and if you’re not, it’s a story that those who just enjoy a well written story will love.
I would like to thank the author for sending me an ARC of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
As always, Ellie had me enthralled from page one! Between the realism that shows how much research she puts into her work, and the fictional characters that draw you in, you can’t put her books down.
This was no different!
Margot and Werner’s introduction is attention grabbing and you can feel their past pains and future fears through their interaction.
Reading about how the people of Germany in the 20’s moved on from WWI, how they tried to survive, and how the area dealt with all the difficulties of the time was moving and intriguing. You feel pulled into the time, wondering where you would be in this new republic, and how would you survive.
I highly recommend this book. The beginning of a new series that you won’t want to miss!
City of Life
What a fresh new venue and atmosphere for a book. I love this new venue. Nineteen Twenties Weimer Berlin, Germany.
Margot and Ernest meat on a bridge both considering suicide by jumping from the bridge. They end up saving each other and becoming friends.
This is a time in Weimer Berlin of joblessness, hunger, and desperation. They land jobs in a nightclub Margot singing and Ernest playing the piano. When they rent a room in a rooming house Margot meets Paul who teaches her all about photography, so the story begins.
The story plays out amid a backdrop of movies and filmmakers amid an emerging political aura with the Communists and the Nazi’s.
I love the characters in the story, they are so realistic, they bring such life to the story. They are so human with their successes and their failures. The personalities are so realistic of the time.
The descriptions of the town itself was wonderful. I felt like I was watching television in my head. What the characters were wearing, the buildings and the scenery were described so vividly.
Ellie did a fine job writing this book, what a great new series to look forward to. I will be awaiting the next book.
I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.
Midwood has done it again, this time focusing on the last years of German society before Hitler took power. Beginning in the back streets and forbidden cafes similar to those seen in Cabaret and going up to the pinnacle of the German film industry, Midwood has thoroughly researched her subject matter and delivers a story that includes such public figures as Leni Riefenstahl and Fritz Lang.
Her characters are well developed and the pacing of the book is perfect for this story; the reader knows what ultimately happens, but still holds on to a small glimmer of hope that this tale would be different. The ending leaves the possibility of a sequel wide open, and readers I think, are more than willing to snatch it up if one is released.
I read it. It was OK. I liked it enough to finish it.
I enjoyed learning the history of Germany in the 1920’s. I had to keep reminding myself it was Germany I was reading about not France.
This could have been such a good story if it hadn’t gotten bogged down in the Metropolis movie! The rest was very good and held my attention, but the title should change and get rid of the whole movie storyline.
A good WWII story