Franz Biberkopf, a man recently released from prison, attempts to lead an honest life in the volatile environment of 1920s Berlin, only to be pulled back into the city's criminal underworld. Biberkopf seeks redemption and stability, but he faces relentless pressure from economic hardship, systemic unemployment, and the encroaching influence of political extremism. The narrative follows his interactions with various figures in the city's underbelly, testing his resolve against a backdrop of urban decay. The story utilizes a complex, non-linear framework that mirrors the chaotic atmosphere of the Weimar Republic. Biberkopf's struggle is defined by his desire for moral integrity in a society that offers few opportunities for those with a criminal past.

Readers and critics frequently identify this work as a foundational text of European modernism due to its innovative structural techniques. Discussion often centers on the author's ability to capture the frenetic, overwhelming energy of Berlin through a collage of voices and media. Many observers highlight the effectiveness of the protagonist's internal monologue in illustrating the tension between individual agency and societal collapse. The narrative pacing is often described as dense and demanding, requiring significant engagement from the reader to navigate the shifting perspectives. Scholars continue to analyze the text for its historical representation of the political instability that preceded the rise of Nazism in Germany.