Publication
Penguin Classics (1994), 144 pages
Original publication date
1974 (original German)
1975 (English: Vennewitz)
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Description
The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum, Or: How Violence Develops and Where It Can Lead was written by Heinrich Boll, one of Germany's most prolific postwar writers. Although Boll insisted that his characters were compositions and not psychological creations, they do have psychological reality. In this novel he tells the story of pretty, bright, young Katharina Blum, who becomes the center of intrigue with a big city newspaper when at a carnival party she falls in love with a young radical lawbreaker on the run from the police.
User reviews
LibraryThing member GlebtheDancer
A sobering look at the power of the press and its ability to abuse it. The book opens with the arrest of Katharina for the murder of a newspaper reporter. It then proceeds to look at the events leading to the murder through the notebooks of the policemen involved. What unfolds is a damning
The notebook style breaks the prose down into bitesized chunks, and the dry style, befitting a policeman's notebook, is a brilliant technique for highlighting the events without the author directly engaging in making moral or political judgements. At slightly over 100 pages, this is a quick and easy read, but at the same time it is powerful and touching. It poses important questions about the role of the press as a 'moral compass' and the insidious imposition of political agendas onto an unsuspecting public. Excellent.
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indictment of a right-wing press which attempts to occupy the moral high-ground by destroying innocent lives for the sake of political preaching and good copy, and is as relevant today as 30 years ago, when it was written.The notebook style breaks the prose down into bitesized chunks, and the dry style, befitting a policeman's notebook, is a brilliant technique for highlighting the events without the author directly engaging in making moral or political judgements. At slightly over 100 pages, this is a quick and easy read, but at the same time it is powerful and touching. It poses important questions about the role of the press as a 'moral compass' and the insidious imposition of political agendas onto an unsuspecting public. Excellent.
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LibraryThing member technodiabla
This book is wryly told in a dry and exceedingly FACTUAL manner. Why? To contrast that style-- which is accurate but a major put-off to most readers-- with the sensationalistic twist on the factual that is the subject of the book. At some level, most people are more attracted to that type of
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"news". And this book reveals the harm it can do. Very clever, even important, but not a fun read. Show Less
LibraryThing member elmyra
This novel is a scathing attack on the tabloid press and the impact it has on both society and individuals' lives. More poignant in the 21st century than ever before.
LibraryThing member roblong
Saw the film of this today and was reminded what a fine piece of work it is. Katharina is a remarkably sympathetic character, her dignified life ripped up just as love gives her the hope of happiness. The blinkered police and self-serving tabloid press give the novel further resonance, but it is
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Katharina's intensely sad story that lingers. Show Less
LibraryThing member hemlokgang
A deceptively simple plot which allows the author to succinctly demonstrate that personal honor is cherished, and when it is destroyed, the consequences may be enormous. The humble and honorable people can be the most vulnerable, and in many ways the strongest of individuals. Boll also manages to
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fit in a few jabs at the telephone monitoring which was still commonplace in 1974, in Germany, when this book was written. Excellent read! Show Less
LibraryThing member abirdman
Great novel, and prescient, about bartering liberty, in the form of privacy, to protect society from terrorism. This was made into a movie, perhaps in the late 70's or early 80's. Boll won a Nobel prize, at least partly on the power and merit of this novel.
LibraryThing member Britt84
I remember reading some of Böll's work when I was in high school and didn't really like it back then. Perhaps it's because I'm older now, but I was pleasantly surprised by this work.
I really enjoyed Böll's dry tpe of humour, his critique of newspapers and the gossip press, and the way he writes
I really enjoyed Böll's dry tpe of humour, his critique of newspapers and the gossip press, and the way he writes
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his story. It's a relatively simple tale, told in a pretty straightforward kind of way, and even though he gives away the final outcome right at the beginning, it never gets boring. Show Less
LibraryThing member dkjanotta
Following the UK's recent Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the British press following the News International phone hacking scandal, this work by Nobel Prizewinner Böll from 1974 is more resonant than ever.
LibraryThing member Kristelh
"or how violence can develop and where it can lead" Sensational tabloid news and the political climate over the panic of the Red Army Faction in the 70s in Germany. The protagonist, Katherine Blum, is an housekeeper whose life is ruined by a reporter who publishes outright lies. She invites him to
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her apartment and shoots him This occurs in the beginning and is not a spoiler. The narrative voice is detached. Impartial reporting example yet it is obvious that the reporter's symptom is with Katharina. The author once said "Die Gewalt von Worten Kann manchmal schlemmer sein als die von ohrfeigen and Pistolen." or (words can be more destructive than punches and pistols) Show Less
LibraryThing member stillatim
A brilliant narrative voice; a great reflection on the tricks and power--for good and bad--of narrative, particularly as used by journalists and crime writers; and a hilarious satire on conservatives, radicals, liberals and, particularly, middle aged men's penises. It reads well, which is a credit
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to the translator. Basically, this is the best novel I've read in a while, and I can't wait to pick up more Boll. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lukerik
I've read this in German too and can say that this is a really good translation.
LibraryThing member sushicat
The narrator contrasts the sensationalist news stories with the real facts and shows us how a life can be destroyed by a chance encounter and the distorted reporting of a few facts, put into completely wrong context, enhanced by speculation and misquoted witnesses. And the genie, once out of the
I liked the way the acerbic voice of the narrator contrasted with the emotional reactions of the people involved.
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bottle, will taint a whole life. Equally disturbing is the reaction of the public that jumps on the bandwagon without doubting the truthfulness of an account by what is clearly not unbiased journalism.I liked the way the acerbic voice of the narrator contrasted with the emotional reactions of the people involved.
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LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
A brief case study of what can happen when an unscrupulous journalist decides to make what they can of a relatively insignificant case. This is why we have libel laws, I suppose.
LibraryThing member snash
The narrator presents the end at the beginning and then leaves the reader to put together the how and why and who all was involved bit by bit. A picture of the lethal effects of publicity.
LibraryThing member classyhomemaker
A couple months ago, this little book was in my Little Free Library bag, headed off to one of our local LFLs. At the last minute, I decided to grab it out and give it a go since it is small and is on the 1001 book list. I read it in just a couple hours last night and was actually surprised that I
Originally written in German and subtitled, "How violence develops and where it can lead", the story is a perfect example of how the media can influence the direction of society. The story is very applicable in our age of fake news. I found myself more and more outraged as the case quickly built against her; although it did seem a little extreme that in just two and a half days of media smearing, she'd go from mild-mannered quiet person to a plotting murderess. Especially since she took the death of her mother pretty calmly. The few humorous parts are actually kind of shocking in the midst of what is actually a pretty stressful read!
There was crude language and themes throughout, but nothing that wouldn't be expected in a tale like this. The story ends abruptly and we have no idea how her trial turns out.
Reading this, I kept thinking of how the media destroyed Princess Diana's little family and eventually, her life. I don't know how accurate the story is to 1970s Germany or if the author was only postulating, but the story definitely fits our 2020 Western culture.
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found it to be "not so bad". Originally written in German and subtitled, "How violence develops and where it can lead", the story is a perfect example of how the media can influence the direction of society. The story is very applicable in our age of fake news. I found myself more and more outraged as the case quickly built against her; although it did seem a little extreme that in just two and a half days of media smearing, she'd go from mild-mannered quiet person to a plotting murderess. Especially since she took the death of her mother pretty calmly. The few humorous parts are actually kind of shocking in the midst of what is actually a pretty stressful read!
There was crude language and themes throughout, but nothing that wouldn't be expected in a tale like this. The story ends abruptly and we have no idea how her trial turns out.
Reading this, I kept thinking of how the media destroyed Princess Diana's little family and eventually, her life. I don't know how accurate the story is to 1970s Germany or if the author was only postulating, but the story definitely fits our 2020 Western culture.
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Media reviews
Lecturalia
Tras acudir a una fiesta, Katharina Blum pasa la noche con un hombre al que acaba de conocer. A la mañana siguiente, Katharina descubre que su acompañante es sospechoso de diversos delitos. A partir de entonces será acusada de ser cómplice. La prensa, la policía y la justicia se unirán para
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destrozar su reputación, hasta hacer de su vida un infierno. Con un estilo que combina el informe policial y el artículo periodístico, Heinrich Böll hace una apasionante crítica a los medios de comunicación sensacionalistas y al abuso de los mecanismos de poder. Show Less
Language
Original language
German
ISBN
0140187286 / 9780140187281
Physical description
144 p.; 5.16 inches
Other editions
Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum by Heinrich Böll (Paperback)
Pages
144