cynthiak's review against another edition
2.0
Histoire d'une captivité dans le Berlin d'aujourd'hui sur fond du Berlin d'avant la chute du Mur. Bien écrit (on sent que l'auteure a suivi des cours de creative writing) et intrigue parfaite pour un téléfilm dont l'unique objectif est de divertir.
Bref, je clos mes lectures en cours et j'arrête de perdre mon temps avec ce genre de pseudo-littérature.
Bref, je clos mes lectures en cours et j'arrête de perdre mon temps avec ce genre de pseudo-littérature.
lasamviela's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 stars. Loved this book. It reminded me of the movie Scissors (1991) with S. Stone. One LITTLE thing: the ending!! I have thought of several outcomes but which one is the most real one considering Andi's personality and his changing mood and emotions at the end.
candilynnsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
“And she liked him - she was a good judge of these things. But the facts would not leave her alone. She had slept with someone she barely knew and now she was stuck.”
I remember seeing this movie on Netflix a few years back so I was really glad to find out it was a book. The story centers itself around “Stockholm syndrome” and severe isolation. For a vast majority of this you are essentially living within the minds of the two main characters, Clare and Andi. Clare is an Australian photographer who has been traveling the world taking pictures of buildings for a book she’s been working on. Andi is the equivalent of a German version of Norman Bates (complete with mommy issues albeit being a tad more scholarly) and is just charming enough to captivate the free spirited Clare.
The slow build up and pacing actually paid off here (I cannot believe I’m saying this as I normally loathe any novel that doesn’t move at the speed of light) because as a reader you really need to understand the inner workings of both characters mental states. The ending??? I wouldn’t be surprised if many people didn’t like the end, but honestly it just *works* and I loved it.
Today’s a good day to not trust shady men who appear out of nowhere offering strawberries.
I remember seeing this movie on Netflix a few years back so I was really glad to find out it was a book. The story centers itself around “Stockholm syndrome” and severe isolation. For a vast majority of this you are essentially living within the minds of the two main characters, Clare and Andi. Clare is an Australian photographer who has been traveling the world taking pictures of buildings for a book she’s been working on. Andi is the equivalent of a German version of Norman Bates (complete with mommy issues albeit being a tad more scholarly) and is just charming enough to captivate the free spirited Clare.
The slow build up and pacing actually paid off here (I cannot believe I’m saying this as I normally loathe any novel that doesn’t move at the speed of light) because as a reader you really need to understand the inner workings of both characters mental states. The ending??? I wouldn’t be surprised if many people didn’t like the end, but honestly it just *works* and I loved it.
Today’s a good day to not trust shady men who appear out of nowhere offering strawberries.
mouwuol's review against another edition
4.0
very very disturbing. My favourite kind of books are kidnapping books so I should be used to reading this kind of disturbing-ness but this book was so.. it made me want to vomit. I was disgusted and the book made me very emotional.
this book made me so claustraphobic, I had to leave my house and walk for an hour. Sitting down and reading this made me so fidgety. I couldn't sit in a small room while the main character was trapped.
I didn't like the writing at some points, the sudden switch between POVS confused me (but only for a second)
this book made me so claustraphobic, I had to leave my house and walk for an hour. Sitting down and reading this made me so fidgety. I couldn't sit in a small room while the main character was trapped.
I didn't like the writing at some points, the sudden switch between POVS confused me (but only for a second)
scribepub's review against another edition
Berlin Syndrome is a compelling literary thriller.
Australian Book Review
A courageous and exciting debut ... Berlin Syndrome is an intelligent novel, and Joosten is masterful in her descriptions of the loneliness that can be found both in a foreign city full of strangers and in an apartment shared by two people.
Eloise Keating, Books + Publishing
Berlin Syndrome is a beguiling psychological dance.
Canberra Times
In language that's hypnotic and sparse, Joosten's remarkable first novel demands to be guzzled in one sitting.
Courier Mail
Begs to be guzzled in one sitting.
Daily Telegraph
This gripping psycho-thriller has put the talented Melbourne writer on our radar big time.
Grazia
Joosten’s debut novel is a taut and intimate psychological thriller … an unflinching examination of power dynamics in a relationship.
Literary Minded
[Joosten’s] frank evocative depiction of what happens when loneliness and obsession collide makes for a striking debut novel.
North & South Magazine
Startling yet understated ... Joosten writes with authority and restraint, uncommon attributes for a first-time novelist.
Patrick Allington, SA Weekend Magazine
A gripping, well-written, undisputedly strong novel.
Louise Swinn, Saturday Age
Elegantly written, especially difficult given the subject matter.
Sunday Age
A psychological thriller of the highest order, this is a strong first showing. More, please.
Sunday Herald Sun
A true psychological thriller.
Sunday Tasmanian
[A] haunting debut novel.
Sydney Morning Herald
An impressive debut.
Vogue Australia
Capture[s] the psychodynamics of a generation that is just emerging into its own on the page. I look forward to seeing what she does next.
Weekend Australian
Joosten excavates the psychology of captivity — its fear, smells, delusions and helplessness — in relentless detail and with considerable skill.
Fiona McGregor
Australian Book Review
A courageous and exciting debut ... Berlin Syndrome is an intelligent novel, and Joosten is masterful in her descriptions of the loneliness that can be found both in a foreign city full of strangers and in an apartment shared by two people.
Eloise Keating, Books + Publishing
Berlin Syndrome is a beguiling psychological dance.
Canberra Times
In language that's hypnotic and sparse, Joosten's remarkable first novel demands to be guzzled in one sitting.
Courier Mail
Begs to be guzzled in one sitting.
Daily Telegraph
This gripping psycho-thriller has put the talented Melbourne writer on our radar big time.
Grazia
Joosten’s debut novel is a taut and intimate psychological thriller … an unflinching examination of power dynamics in a relationship.
Literary Minded
[Joosten’s] frank evocative depiction of what happens when loneliness and obsession collide makes for a striking debut novel.
North & South Magazine
Startling yet understated ... Joosten writes with authority and restraint, uncommon attributes for a first-time novelist.
Patrick Allington, SA Weekend Magazine
A gripping, well-written, undisputedly strong novel.
Louise Swinn, Saturday Age
Elegantly written, especially difficult given the subject matter.
Sunday Age
A psychological thriller of the highest order, this is a strong first showing. More, please.
Sunday Herald Sun
A true psychological thriller.
Sunday Tasmanian
[A] haunting debut novel.
Sydney Morning Herald
An impressive debut.
Vogue Australia
Capture[s] the psychodynamics of a generation that is just emerging into its own on the page. I look forward to seeing what she does next.
Weekend Australian
Joosten excavates the psychology of captivity — its fear, smells, delusions and helplessness — in relentless detail and with considerable skill.
Fiona McGregor
scandinaviancubano's review against another edition
2.0
a two stars for me is “kinda alright”, and that’s what this was.
evejawara's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Rape, and Domestic abuse
rhodaj's review against another edition
3.0
As I won this book as part of First Reads, I'd like to thank Scribe Publications for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This was a difficult book to rate. It's very well written and has some clever and interesting parallels. Where else could this book be set but in Berlin! As the book refers to the Berlin Wall several times, it's quite obvious from the storyline that there are definite parallels here about being trapped behind walls.
I think for the most part that the author managed to pull off the monotony, frustration and bordering on sanity/insanity of being confined quite well, however I do have to say that as with any story that is written around trying to fill in your day etc (I'm also thinking Room here), there is a fine line between getting the message across and it being dull for the reader as well. There was a large section in this book from the middle onwards that I found quite tedious reading.
And the ending......let's just say that it fits with the parallels that are occurring, but is very unsatisfying, I would think, from most reader's perspective - and certainly mine.
This was a difficult book to rate. It's very well written and has some clever and interesting parallels. Where else could this book be set but in Berlin! As the book refers to the Berlin Wall several times, it's quite obvious from the storyline that there are definite parallels here about being trapped behind walls.
I think for the most part that the author managed to pull off the monotony, frustration and bordering on sanity/insanity of being confined quite well, however I do have to say that as with any story that is written around trying to fill in your day etc (I'm also thinking Room here), there is a fine line between getting the message across and it being dull for the reader as well. There was a large section in this book from the middle onwards that I found quite tedious reading.
And the ending......let's just say that it fits with the parallels that are occurring, but is very unsatisfying, I would think, from most reader's perspective - and certainly mine.
bellatrix's review against another edition
2.0
Langweilig.
That's German for 'boring'
Took me forever to finish it.
Nothing ever happenes. Everything is sooooo dragged and slow.
I couldn't care less about the characters and frankly, i just wanted it to end.
That's German for 'boring'
Took me forever to finish it.
Nothing ever happenes. Everything is sooooo dragged and slow.
I couldn't care less about the characters and frankly, i just wanted it to end.
stephenking's review against another edition
4.0
very very disturbing. My favourite kind of books are kidnapping books so I should be used to reading this kind of disturbing-ness but this book was so.. it made me want to vomit. I was disgusted and the book made me very emotional.
this book made me so claustraphobic, I had to leave my house and walk for an hour. Sitting down and reading this made me so fidgety. I couldn't sit in a small room while the main character was trapped.
I didn't like the writing at some points, the sudden switch between POVS confused me (but only for a second)
this book made me so claustraphobic, I had to leave my house and walk for an hour. Sitting down and reading this made me so fidgety. I couldn't sit in a small room while the main character was trapped.
I didn't like the writing at some points, the sudden switch between POVS confused me (but only for a second)