I learnt so much

Fascinating. It’s easy to forget this all existed and in my lifetime too. It’s good to learn and be reminded from a real life experience point of view.

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1 person found this helpful

Stasi Brilliant

The East Germany we all grew up with brilliantly laid bare with progressive anecdotes from all walks

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Not only a good read - an important read

I feel this is one of those books that everyone should read. it is really well written. The author makes it feel personal. The collected stories of what happened to people living in East Berlin before the wall came down and how those experiences impacted them should not be swept aside. If we don't want history to repeat, then we, and more so, the victims of the Stasi, need to know and remember what actually happened. The narration is excellent.

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Storyline

Very interesting personal insights into the East Germans lives at that time and mostly how the Stasi operations worked

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A compelling read…

Having been in Berlin in 1990 and experiencing firsthand the unforgettable feeling of walking from west to east (moving from a vibrant colour photograph to an old sepia photo of a time long since past) I couldn’t wait to listen to this book. I did not disappoint - incredible story-telling and a valuable reminder of the consequences of extremes,

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This book is a modern classic

Finder is a genius at taking the most menial interaction a master class of relevant and insightful description, skills which she doesn’t need in this modern classic. Books like this help us remember. Her characters are nobodies, but represent everyone in the GDR. Her ability to get the truth, frame the story and tell it, is second to none. She is marvellous and so is this book.

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Could not stop listening to this captivating account of the peoples lives under communism

Anna has interviewed and brought to life the personal stories of peoples lives who lived in East Germany whilst it was a communist state , the German Democratic Republic and where their lives are now. I found it utterly captivating and many times I listened in disbelief the torment the state inflicted on individuals. Astonishing as well was those who to this day worked for the state and long for the old days.. still fanatical .
The stories are beautifully told and superbly narrated.
It seems so relevant now as we grapple with China . It’s made me think of the State controlling The individual and how sinister this can become .
Well done Anna .. a wonderful book , I absolutely loved it. Thank you .

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Top notch

I enjoyed this book so much for the narrative of the non-fiction content and the subject matter. Such an excellent story/history telling.

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Being W German by birth this book touched me deeply.

Well written with a great sense of humour about the hideous Germaness on display in how the GDR operated. Anna Funder goes deeply into the petty cruelty humans are capable of but never loses a sense of compassion for victims and alao for the perpetrators.

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Very insightful book

Great to listen and well worth it to understand what occurred in Germany not so many years ago.

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