Who here has read Metropolis?

[Allaire]

This is my first discussion here on goodreads. I'll start by asking if anyone here has read the sci-fi novel "Metropolis" by Thea Von Harbou. I love the silent movie "Metropolis" and I'm wondering if the book is worth reading. And if so, which translation do you recommend?

[Powerispower]

I've read the anonymous English translation. The language is a bit usual. I love it and think it's worth reading. It's not a book I could read slowly. Once I got into it I had to read it as fast as I could.

[Allaire]

Powerispower wrote: "I've read the anonymous English translation. The language is a bit usual. I love it and think it's worth reading. It's not a book I could read slowly. Once I got into it I had to read it as fast as..."

Thanks powerispower, I think I will enjoy it. I like foreign movies and some of my favorite books are ones that had to be translated.

[Powerispower]

Powerispower wrote: "I've read the anonymous English translation. The language is a bit usual. I love it and think it's worth reading. It's not a book I could read slowly. Once I got into it I had to read it as fast as..."


I meant unusual not usual. I must of been tired.

[Allaire]

Thought that's what you meant.

[Luke]

The book is pretty good. If you have a chance, dig out the version that's illustrated by Mike Kaluta. It was the first version I ever read (I picked up a no-name translation later when all my books were packed) and it's the greatest - full of art very much inspired by the movie.

Here's a blogpost about that version.

[Philip]

I read a freebie e-book version of it and though I loved the book in spirit, the translation and editing was just deplorable. If anyone knows of a good translation out there, I'm all ears!

[Tom]

Read the translated version of the book and the narrator sounded (in my head, at least) slightly fascist due to the word choices that hinted at sympathy for those keeping the workers down. Having said that, it was a pretty awesome read.

The movie - with the missing pieces put back in - is absolutely mind blowing. It's the rare instance when I preferred the movie to the book. Both were so far ahead of their time.

[Scott]

The translation I read isn't on Goodreads for some reason, but I really enjoyed it. It filled it the gaps that they cut out of the film after its premier. It's the closest thing to a complete Metropolis we're likely to get.

[Marianna]

If you want some opinion about that book, read here
https://littlefreelibraryviaalipertic...

[Steven]

I've have the English translation, it's a fascinating read. One of my cherished paperbacks. The language Von Harbou uses to describe various futuristic elements can be a bit clumsy, but it truly is a vast vision; the format of science fiction films and novels owes much to this pioneer effort.

[Mystrt]

I have read the Project Gutenberg free pdf on my phone and enjoyed it.
Metropolis