Scan barcode
adastrame's review
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
In the final part of this trilogy, we see the beginnings of how Berlin succumbs to Nazism. The characters that we've accompanied throughout the trilogy are all deeply affected by history, with families splitting between left (communists) and right (Nazis), Jews being victims of hate crimes and people watching in horror as their former friends and lovers support fascists.
I'm glad that people in Germany are going to the streets in masses, protesting the renewed rise of fascism in our government.
I'm glad that people in Germany are going to the streets in masses, protesting the renewed rise of fascism in our government.
tsharris's review
5.0
Grim conclusion to Lutes's phenomenal trilogy of Weimar Berlin. I hadn't read the two previous volumes in several years, but it did not take much time to remember the main characters and what had happened to them previously.
ajkhn's review
3.0
Definitely my least favorite of the trilogy, especially when the main character just like faces the audience and says "I'm like a child, I do'nt know what to believe or what to think" and it's like yes you're the audience cipher, we get it.
Also breaks one of teh golden rules of Nazi storytelling: don't feature Hitler unless there's a good reason to feature Hitler.
So, that said, it's a beautiful book. If anything it kinda goes light on the characters and therefore the audience in a way that feels kind of undeserved after the death and destruction in volumes 1 and 2. I enjoyed reading it and saing goodbye to everyone. Just doesn't really hit the highs of the first two.
Also breaks one of teh golden rules of Nazi storytelling: don't feature Hitler unless there's a good reason to feature Hitler.
So, that said, it's a beautiful book. If anything it kinda goes light on the characters and therefore the audience in a way that feels kind of undeserved after the death and destruction in volumes 1 and 2. I enjoyed reading it and saing goodbye to everyone. Just doesn't really hit the highs of the first two.
nickfourtimes's review
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
1) "'We schedule rallies on a regular basis, and hold them in predominantly Communist neighbourhoods.
We provoke chaos. Then, we demonstrate order.
The press eats it up.
Berlin needs sensation like a fish needs water.
...
I hate this place.'"
2) "'Your train's tomorrow morning, my dear? I'm hosting a soirée tonight. You should come— Really. Both of you.'
'I don't— Thank you, but...'
'Darling. Nothing like that. Just a little fundraiser for Herr Hitler.'"
3) "'I imagine changing my mind at the last minute.
Shrugging off the demands of family; acting as if I am whole and separate and free to choose.
Not a woman. Not a daughter. Not a citizen of Germany.'
'Charlottenburg. Now arriving, Charlottenburg.'
'I imagine changing my mind and getting off at the next stop.
Leaving my bags behind, stepping into the sunlight.
Turning away from a future that narrows to a single point.
I imagine...
turning back...
toward the city...'"
minimoo's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
jordyshore's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
clellman's review
5.0
This was the best one. Brought back Marthe Muller's POV, which dominated the first one. But here it was well balanced with the other storylines. It was less jumpy and politically-detailed than the second one. It really achieved what I felt like was the purpose of the series: showing the atmosphere in Berlin during the rise of Hitler (without Hitler dominating the story). And by using regular people's different lives: a depressed journalist; a gay artist;a Hitler youth; poor organizing communists; a multigenerational Jewish family, etc.