A review by adastrame
Berlin Book One: City of Stones by Jason Lutes

dark informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I originally read this almost 10 years ago for uni (2014). It was always bothering me that I haven't read the third and final book yet, so that's why I decided to re-read the whole series now (2024). 

And what a time to re-read! This graphic novel portrays Berlin in 1928, and the parallels to German (and European, and international) politics today are striking. The rise of the Nazis is juxtaposed with the Marxist working class, and we see how a colorful (well, black-and-white) cast of characters is affected by this in everyday life in Berlin. It's scary, and looking at the news, it feels like history repeats itself.