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: Memoir
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
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
9. Germany I
"Rosa Luxemburg" - Karl Frohlich . “Social Reform or Revolution”, “Organisational Questions of Russian Social Democracy” Rosa Luxemburg from “The Rosa Luxemburg Reader” eds. Peter Hudis and Kevin B. Anderson. Putting together this reading list I was quite intimidated by Germany, a country I have both studied and feel like I barely know. At the … Continue reading 9. Germany I
3. Belgium
"War and Turpentine" - Stefan Hertmans. Translated from Flemish: David McKay This was a sweet, nicely written account of one man's life, Hertmans' Grandfather - Urbain - based on, inspired by and transcribed from Urbain's memoirs, feverishly written at the end of his life and entrusted to Hertmans for publication. Hertmans' narrative goes further than … Continue reading 3. Belgium
The European Reader 