The Sleepwalkers

The Sleepwalkers is a three-part novel published in the 1930s by Austrian author Hermann Broch, charting the transformation of German society from 1888 to 1918. Each section follows a distinct protagonist navigating a period of social upheaval: a Prussian army officer in 1888, a Luxembourg bookkeeper in 1903, and an Alsatian wine dealer in 1918. The narrative tracks these men's personal struggles as they move through a world where traditional values and social structures are dissolving. The historical backdrop spans from the late Wilhelmine era through World War I, capturing a society in transition through precise period details and social observation. The novel earned acclaim from critics who placed Broch alongside contemporaries like Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka, and Marcel Proust. The text examines how individuals cope when established moral frameworks break down, focusing on the space between old certainties and new realities - much like the state between sleeping and waking that gives the novel its title.

Readers describe The Sleepwalkers as a challenging but rewarding philosophical novel that demands focus and patience. Many note it requires multiple readings to grasp its full scope. Readers appreciated: - The interweaving narratives that show societal decay - Complex character studies, especially Huguenau - The mix of styles (poetry, essays, narrative) - Historical commentary on pre-WWI Europe Common criticisms: - Dense philosophical passages interrupt story flow - Middle section feels disconnected from main plot - Translation issues in English versions - Difficult to follow multiple narrative threads One reader noted: "Like climbing a mountain - exhausting but the view from the top is worth it." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (120+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (400+ ratings) Most negative reviews focus on its difficulty rather than quality. Several readers abandoned it during the philosophical sections but returned later to finish.

The Man Without Qualities by Robert Musil Chronicles a man's search for meaning in pre-WWI Vienna as Habsburg society crumbles around him.

Berlin Alexanderplatz by Alfred Döblin Follows an ex-convict through Weimar-era Berlin as he struggles to survive amid social breakdown and moral chaos.

The Radetzky March by Joseph Roth Tracks three generations of an Austrian family as the Habsburg Empire declines and dissolves.

The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann Charts seven years in a Swiss sanatorium before WWI where European intellectuals debate civilization's future.

Doctor Faustus by Thomas Mann Parallels the rise of Nazism with a composer's descent into madness through Germany's cultural dissolution.

🔹 The novel was written while Broch was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp in 1938, where he spent several weeks before managing to escape to Britain and later the United States. 🔹 Each of the three parts has its own distinct writing style - the first is romantic, the second features art nouveau elements, and the third adopts an expressionist approach. 🔹 Robert Musil, author of "The Man Without Qualities," was a close friend of Broch and both writers explored similar themes of moral decay in pre-war Austrian society. 🔹 The term "sleepwalkers" was inspired by Broch's interest in mass psychology and his belief that people often participate in historical events without true awareness of their significance. 🔹 The novel's structure of three separate time periods (1888, 1903, 1918) deliberately corresponds to key moments in German history: Bismarck's resignation, the height of the Wilhelm era, and Germany's defeat in WWI.