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A review by nerdygnome
The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay
The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay lets us break free from the usual WWII historical fiction fascination by highlighting a different era instead: 1960s Germany, behind the Berlin Wall. It's engaging and immersive, with fleshed out characters and an underlying theme of personal sacrifices made for the sake of familial love.
Written with a dual timeline, The Berlin Letters centers around the story of Monika, a young German woman married to Haris, a news reporter who is a supporter of the Party in East Berlin. In 1961, Monika finds to her shock that the Berlin Wall is now being policed, and that she can no longer cross it to visit her family in West Berlin. Horrified and worried for what's to come, she throws her young daughter Luisa over the wall and into the arms of her waiting parents. The story of Monika's life in the days to follow is contrasted with that of Luisa in the 1980s, growing up in America, where her grandparents moved. Following the death of her grandfather, Luisa, now an agent in the CIA, discovers papers in her grandfather's belongings that suggest her past is more than what she's been told.
For readers who like slow burn, character-driven novels with a good amount of espionage, The Berlin Letters will be a great choice. It's also a great option for those who like historical fiction but need a break from the typical WWII novels. The audiobook production is done well and adds to the experience.
Thank you to Harper Muse and Katherine Reay for providing an advance copy for an honest review.
Written with a dual timeline, The Berlin Letters centers around the story of Monika, a young German woman married to Haris, a news reporter who is a supporter of the Party in East Berlin. In 1961, Monika finds to her shock that the Berlin Wall is now being policed, and that she can no longer cross it to visit her family in West Berlin. Horrified and worried for what's to come, she throws her young daughter Luisa over the wall and into the arms of her waiting parents. The story of Monika's life in the days to follow is contrasted with that of Luisa in the 1980s, growing up in America, where her grandparents moved. Following the death of her grandfather, Luisa, now an agent in the CIA, discovers papers in her grandfather's belongings that suggest her past is more than what she's been told.
For readers who like slow burn, character-driven novels with a good amount of espionage, The Berlin Letters will be a great choice. It's also a great option for those who like historical fiction but need a break from the typical WWII novels. The audiobook production is done well and adds to the experience.
Thank you to Harper Muse and Katherine Reay for providing an advance copy for an honest review.