Metropolis by Thea Von Harbou (1926)
The original dust-jacket that I wish I had for my Readers Library edition
Thea Von Harbou was the wife of the German film director Fritz Lang and, according to some sources, the book ‘Metropolis’ was written by her specifically to be filmed by Lang but others say that the film script by Harbou and Lang and the novel developed alongside each other.
Certainly, while the film was being made the novel was being serialised in a magazine (Das Illustriertes Blatt) illustrated by production stills but when the film is compared to the book it seems that the film was based on an early draft of the book.
Let’s just say that the book and film have a symbiotic relation; each adding to the enjoyment of the other for the reader/viewer. If you’ve seen the film then read the book and visa-versa.
For those that have done neither and want to read the book, it is a story set in a future (2026) city ruled by an aesthetic and pleasure seeking aristocracy who are supported by a literal underclass of workers who toil away in the depths below. A worker called Maria leads a group of children from the underworld into the upper-class district and challenges a group of aristocrats to acknowledge them as their brothers. This is witnessed by Freder, the son of the ruler of Metropolis, who sets out to learn about her and about the lives of the workers. The plot goes on to include the evil scientist Rotwang and his android version of Maria and a workers’ revolt among much else.
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