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dominiko_'s review against another edition
4.0
I first read this in high school and decided to re-read it again recently. This is a great book for anyone looking for an introductory insight into the former GDR and specifically its secret police force, the Stasi.
The book is nonfiction but is written almost like prose, which makes it very engaging. Funder's descriptive style adds an extra dimension to the events she discusses, although sometimes her use of free indirect discourse makes her subjects seem more like characters and blurs the lines between the author's own projections and historical objectivity.
Having studied the subject of the GDR and its citizens more intensely since my first reading, I also found that the author does not examine her own (Western) prejudices against the system she describes, although she is wonderfully critical of the opinions and prejudices of the former Stasi agents she interviews.
Overall still an engaging and interesting read.
The book is nonfiction but is written almost like prose, which makes it very engaging. Funder's descriptive style adds an extra dimension to the events she discusses, although sometimes her use of free indirect discourse makes her subjects seem more like characters and blurs the lines between the author's own projections and historical objectivity.
Having studied the subject of the GDR and its citizens more intensely since my first reading, I also found that the author does not examine her own (Western) prejudices against the system she describes, although she is wonderfully critical of the opinions and prejudices of the former Stasi agents she interviews.
Overall still an engaging and interesting read.
daid64's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Having no idea what life was like in East Germany, I was keen to read this book. The stories were heartbreaking and frightening. This was the best part of the book and seeing how these people are living now. Some of the stories are from the Stasi themselves and I found them really disturbing: not an easy read.Â
For me, the main issue I had was Anna’s ‘story’. I liked how she tried to stay connected with some of the storytellers and how she was affected by what they went through. However, I found some of it self-absorbed and I felt that detracted from the aim.Â
I would recommend this book as I think it serves not just as a historical account of East Germany but also as a warning to how we can abuse power and be abused by it.
For me, the main issue I had was Anna’s ‘story’. I liked how she tried to stay connected with some of the storytellers and how she was affected by what they went through. However, I found some of it self-absorbed and I felt that detracted from the aim.Â
I would recommend this book as I think it serves not just as a historical account of East Germany but also as a warning to how we can abuse power and be abused by it.
jenstory's review against another edition
5.0
When I read the first line of Stasiland: "I am hungover and steer myself like a car..." I wasn't sure what to expect. After reading the first chapter, I felt as gloomy as the depressing description of East Germany.Â
But then I became glued to the book. Funder is direct, even blunt at times, yet her words are miles deep. I felt like I was reliving every moment of Berlin's communist past, every emotion of the storytellers; while Klaus Renft's story put a smile to my face, Miriam Weber's horrified and frustrated me.Â
Altogether, the collated stories have opened my eyes to a forgotten part of history. At the same time, they have made me question about our present world - where corruption is still far from being conquered - and about our future. Indeed, as Funder puts it, "it's not really, ever, over."
But then I became glued to the book. Funder is direct, even blunt at times, yet her words are miles deep. I felt like I was reliving every moment of Berlin's communist past, every emotion of the storytellers; while Klaus Renft's story put a smile to my face, Miriam Weber's horrified and frustrated me.Â
Altogether, the collated stories have opened my eyes to a forgotten part of history. At the same time, they have made me question about our present world - where corruption is still far from being conquered - and about our future. Indeed, as Funder puts it, "it's not really, ever, over."
damarginal's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0