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lizzym126's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Torture, Grief, Gaslighting, and Deportation
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, and Murder
creativerunnings's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Classism, and Deportation
lindsey_bear's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.75
Stasiland was equal parts informative and intimate; historical and relatable; factual and human. She blended the experience of former Stasi officials, informers, citizens of the GDR, etc. with historical context beautifully. I really enjoyed the personal reflections she gave, as well as the variety in people’s stories she shared. One of my favorite elements of this book is the concept of how the Wall affected everyday people’s lives, and how they might still be affected today. Although this time in history was anything but lighthearted, Funder managed to invoke a positive sense of optimism and hope for a better future, while not forgetting or ignoring the impact of the past. The only reason I did not mark 5 stars was the abruptness of the end—I felt a longing for a more tidy reflection as a whole, especially after she was so reflective throughout the entire book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Torture, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, and Deportation