A review by jennifer
Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall by Anna Funder

5.0

In Stasiland, Anna Funder, an Australian who lived and worked in Berlin, unpacks the Berlin Wall and life under the Stasi in the GDR in a way that all my visits to memorials and museums in this city never did. The core of the book is a collection of stories of East Germans, some with a personal connection to Funder (her landlady), others found through her research, including a newspaper ad she placed looking to speak with former Stasi employees. Ultimately it's their stories that make the book, but Funder's writing is also tremendous. She injects just enough of herself so that she's not the main story but is still a relatable, empathetic witness. Highly recommended reading for anyone visiting Berlin or interested in this period of history.