19. Germany III

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 →

18. Sweden

"The Man Who Smiled" Henning Mankell. Translated from the Swedish by Laurie Thompson. I havered for a long time over a book for Sweden. As I trawled through online lists recommending The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and other thrillers I admit to wondering if there wasn’t something rather more heavyweight in the pantheon of … Continue reading 18. Sweden →

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. Translated from the Estonian by Ants Ert. 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. … Continue reading 16. Estonia →

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 →