Christopher and His Kind Audio CD – CD, January 12, 2010

At the December 2007 meeting of the NYC LGBT Center book discussion group, we read and discussed "Christopher and His Kind" by Christopher Isherwood. We had a small group who was mixed on this memoir.While many of us found much of the writing very exact and extremely satisfying at times, many also found it to go on and on and on at other times. We also thought that many of his characters were well drawn, but as a name-dropper, Isherwood also includes many people we never get to know, because all that's important is that they knew Christopher. One of the central characters, Christopher's very young and long-term companion, Heinz, seemed less clear, and Christopher's allowing him to return to Nazi Germany seemed less momentous than expected, especially considering their time together and the expense Christopher's family indulged toward getting him a visa.The choice to alternate between the third-person "Christopher said or did this..." and the first-person "I now believe that I was wrong..." was irritating at times. But having raised all these questions, the final chapter is a fantastic summation of his life and the works, and his reach into the future.

First, I bought the Bob Fosse film musical "Cabaret" for myself for Christmas. Liza Minelli's talent as a singer is superb.Second, I noticed in the "Cabaret" credits that the film was based on the stories of Christopher Isherwood.Third, I bought the film "Christopher and His Kind."Then, fourth and finally, I bought the memoir by the same name.So much of Weimar Germany came together for me for the first time between the memoir and the two films.Now I get it!The memoir "Christopher and His Kind" has made me acquainted with other literary figures of his time in Berlin.With future readings and films, I am on my way to understanding Germany between the two World Wars.

Excellent book as for Berlin experience diaries

I decided to pick up this book after hearing that Matt Smith would be acting in an adaptation. Not the most promising start, but it puts my opinion in perspective. I will refrain from talking much about the plot, other than to say it's a book about his experiences in Germany just before WWII.I found this book to be a perspective I had never heard before, and it turned me on to other works by Isherwood. I'm still working through them, but his unique point of view appeals to me. He offers a fresh view on an oft-written about subject, ie Nazi Germany. His balances explicit detail and taste perfectly.

From perusing others' reviews, I concluded that reading Christopher and His Kind would give a me a better understanding of the times and events leading up to and concluding in the horror that was Hitler by someone who had lived it. I was not particularly historically enlightened. I hope Mr. Isherwood's Berlin Stories will be more what I imagined CaHK would be. If not, maybe I could read a history book.

I was excited to read this book after I saw they had the movie on Netflix. I wanted to read the book before I watched the movie. I was going to order the other cover version, but when I saw this version I was determined to get it. It came quick and was packaged well. They even gave me a bookmark. Overall the book is interesting and by far the best autobiography I've read.

If your a fan of Isherwood you will love this book. Well written and the intro by Gore Vidal is excellent!

Some-what difficult to read until you get the hang of it being written in the 3rd person but an interesting way of presenting a part of your life. Not exhilarating but not bad. It helps if you know who Christopher Isherwood is.

Essentially his autobiography from 1929-1939 when he largely lived in Germany. I found it difficult to get over the oddness of writing about yourself in the third person. As background to his German books - Mr Norris changes trains' and 'Goodbye to Berlin' - an enjoyable read. As to the character of the author that emerges from this book I found him to be unpleasant and quite cold. Whether this was a reflection of the difficulties of being gay at that time, or, a simple character trait, is hard to decide. But compared, say, to Sally Bowles, he appears fleshless.

Top tip for this biography: Don't skip the intro, it's written by Gore Vidal. This autobiography is pure Isherwood and pure delight. Written in the third person throughout gives the narrative a charming quality as it observes the author's journey from England to Berlin to various European capitals to England again and finally ending with Ellis Island and his first steps on US soil.

Isherwood was gifted and his books travel through time and are relative to the ages of today and tomorrow, emotion, intellect and the challenges of living in difficult times are so vividly expressed that I I highly suggest his books to anyone. he doesn't lie nor mince words and his care for the reader despite those who would prefer lies, Isherwood's writings are magical.

Easy-read autobiography with a passionating historical background of the 1930s Germany and England and of the homosexual life, or rather struggles, at the time. However, someone who is not too familiar with Isherwood's works and life and with the writers and other cultural celebrities of the time may find some pages wearisome.

It is lovely when you feel connected to people through time and this book reaches out to you.