pickThis is the definitive account by someone there to document the events. I mean, he was in the crowd witnessing historic speeches and running for shelter during bombing raids. If you want to know almost everything about the Nazi regime, this is the book. The infamous question: ‘How did the German population let this happen?‘ Is somewhat answered here. Terrifying, and highly recommended. Happy 'NO KINGS' day!
pickThis reads as a sort of diary of the author‘s investigation and interviews with those who lived in East Germany and whose lives were forever altered by the ever present Stasi and their hordes of informal agents. She also interviews former Stasi agents and former GDR propaganda mongers to understand how they feel about their work behind the wall and whether it was all worth it. I enjoyed reading this. It‘s beautifully written which was unexpected.
so-soIt's frustrating, because this book has such potential for greatness and so many strong insights about a whole slew of important themes, but it focuses mainly on a toxic love affair. And I am so tired of books about barely adult women in unhealthy relationships with older men.
#WomensPrize #WomensPrize25
Hard to pick just one quote from this book, appallingly timely in its observations applied to current events, 90 years later.
“With his oily hair falling into his face as he ranted, he had the look of a man trying to seduce the cook. I got the impression of basic stupidity, the same kind of his crony Papen - the kind of stupidity which equates statemanshio with cheating at a horse trade.”
pickPage 304 cemented this as a five star read. Historically based on the houses that “bore and raised” children for Hitlers Germany. The secrets that were everywhere for people to survive. Excellent historical fiction. Alina the mother and survivor.
pickJust finished this beautiful story. A three-timeline plot, set before, during, and immediately after WWII in Germany, it follows two sisters and the woman who comes across a book tied to them. It‘s heart wrenching and uplifting at the same time. So glad I read this.
pickMy highest praise. It is written as diary entries, what is happening to him & society as Hitler rises to power. He sees the stupidity,the cruelty,the arrogance.How such a regime destroys everything in its wake .The past ,the present,the future.Unfortunately, It is too relevant in this particular moment. Very moving, so glad I read it. I had heard of it years ago, then Tim Miller mentioned it in The Bulwark podcast.Beautiful writing,sharp insights
pickBefore anyone gets hot under the collar, the Passion in question is Bach's St Matthew (and music more generally). 🙂
I love Bach and, completely unreasonably, expected reading this book to feel like listening to his music. Well... it wasn't that, although the rehearsing and first performance of the StMP was truly evocative. Otherwise it tends towards overlong and has saggy-middle-syndrome. JSB comes across as tiresome but I loved all the context.
