Christoph Hein's GDR Epic to Become a Series
A German production company has optioned the rights to convert Christoph Hein's East German epic Ship of Fools into a series. The adapation will be developed by a director-screenwriter duo.
In his sparking social novel, Christoph Hein brings men and women together who, upon the founding of the German Democratic Republic, are assigned the most diverse roles. He accompanies them through the dramatic developments of a nascent society, which strives to be the better Germany and yet stumbles from one failure to the next.
»In his novel Ship of Fools, Christoph Hein recounts the history of the GDR from the beginnings to the end, enlightening and empathetic, with precisely sketched characters and set against the backdrop of historical events. … A historical book in the best sense of the word, and nobody but Christoph Hein could have written it.« Cornelia Geißler, Frankfurter Rundschau
»[Hein] proves to be the most incorruptible chronicler [of East Germany]. … In his laconic language, Hein draws on a calm force to create this magnum opus of a social novel.« Ulrich Steinmetzger, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
In his sparking social novel, Christoph Hein brings men and women together who, upon the founding of the German Democratic Republic, are assigned the most diverse roles. He accompanies them through the dramatic developments of a nascent society, which strives to be the better Germany and yet stumbles from one failure to the next.
»In his novel Ship of Fools, Christoph Hein recounts the history of the GDR from the beginnings to the end, enlightening and empathetic, with precisely sketched characters and set against the backdrop of historical events. … A historical book in the best sense of the word, and nobody but Christoph Hein could have written it.« Cornelia Geißler, Frankfurter Rundschau
»[Hein] proves to be the most incorruptible chronicler [of East Germany]. … In his laconic language, Hein draws on a calm force to create this magnum opus of a social novel.« Ulrich Steinmetzger, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
»Anyone who wants to understand how even those with the best of intentions, including those in positions of power, failed in their quest to make the German Democratic Republic into a country in which people could realise their potential in accordance with their interests and abilities, one that was economically successful and had a place in the community of nations, can now read this beguiling novel.« Cornelia Geißler, Berliner Zeitung