In the summer of 1940 the Döblin family had to flee ahead of invading German forces, desperately casting about for safe haven options. Alfred, separated for weeks from his wife Erna and their youngest son – and with no news of two other sons serving in the French Army – suffered near-total physical, mental and spiritual collapse. Erna’s decision to aim for the USA required only the gathering of exit permits, entry visas, travel money, boat tickets … all against a fast-ticking clock.
For further downloads, extracts and the show transcript visit www.beyond-alexanderplatz.com