Stasiland, Anna Funder The third book I read from Germany dealt with perhaps the most unappreciated - or unresolved - part of its recent history: the reign of the autocratic German Democratic Republic (DDR) and their state police, the Stasi. When Germany was divided after the Second World War the Soviets (occupying the eastern states … Continue reading 19. Germany III
Category: Communism
17. Slovakia
"The Equestrienne" - Uršul’a Kovalyk. Translated from the Slovak by Julia and Peter Sherwood. This was a short book, only 80 pages in the English translation, yet it packed in a rather beautiful story; effortlessly universal while at the same time speaking some intriguing truths about the collapse of Communism and transition to a capitalist … Continue reading 17. Slovakia
16. Estonia
Diary of a Blood Donor - Mati Unt A retelling of Dracula set in Communist Estonia. Who could resist such a book? Never mind that I haven’t read “Dracula” or that Mati Unt seemingly writes post-modernist books and that’s always a little perplexing, this definitely seemed worth a go. Was it? It took me a … Continue reading 16. Estonia
15. Romania
"The Land of Green Plums" Herta Muller. Translated from the German by Michael Hofmann. If anyone ever doubts the disabling, debilitating impact of authoritarian regimes, have them read this book. If you have ever believed, in your darkest moments, that something is worth the sacrifice of liberty or constraint of expression, then this book is … Continue reading 15. Romania
14. Slovenia
"Joyce's Pupil" Drago Jančar. Various translators. I had been struggling for some time to find a suitable book for Slovenia so was glad to come across Drago Jančar’s name. I was gladder still that a publisher had seen fit to translate this collection of short stories into English. Jančar is a famous author in Slovenia … Continue reading 14. Slovenia
13. Lithuania
"Between Shades of Grey" Ruta Sepetys. It is interesting to reflect that, in contrast to the crimes of the Nazis, there is little popular culture on the horror of the Soviet gulags - at least in my experience. I feel I imbibed it in a vague and abstract way, without much in depth explanation or … Continue reading 13. Lithuania
12. Germany II
"A Woman in Berlin" Anonymous. Translated from the German by Philip Boehm. It was quite by chance that I heard about this novel, reading some article or other that I do not even remember. But when I knew it existed I really wanted to read it alongside the other books dealing with the war and … Continue reading 12. Germany II
11. Luxembourg
"Borderlands" - Roy Jacobsen. Translated: Don Bartlett and Dan Shaw. It would be very easy for a book to teach me something of Luxembourg, for I am afraid my only knowledge of the country comes from news reports on multinational tax avoidance and dodgy banking. Yet trying to find an English book on the place … Continue reading 11. Luxembourg
The European Reader 