Comments on: Nonfiction Review: Forty Autumns by Nina Willner

By: Susie

Susie — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 04:10:52 +0000

In reply to Madeline. Thanks for the book recommendation, Madeline. A Woman in Berlin sounds fascinating.

By: Madeline

Madeline — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 01:07:52 +0000

Perhaps I’m burned out on WWII after “We Were the Lucky Ones” (which resembles this in voice), “The Nightingale,” “All the Light We Cannot See” and “Winter of the World” but I found this just a bit better than average. I’d say the middle third of the book was the best in terms of describing the totalitarianism of East German society.

If you liked this, check out “A Woman in Berlin” which covers a few short months at the end of WWII as the Soviets take over east Berlin. Excellent yet horrifying.

By: Angela

Angela — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 14:20:32 +0000

While I read a lot of WWII novels, this is a time period I don’t normally read about, particularly this area. This sounds like a really special book, and I think the reunification scenes would make me cry, too. It’s heartbreaking to learn about what these families went through.

By: Cori

Cori — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 13:41:19 +0000

I WILL read this in 2018! Im looking forward to reading it. I actually got the book in the mail from my non fiction November swap partner(along with other goodies) which makes it extra special. From your description I already know which friend I will pass the book along to when I finish!

By: Sarah's Book Shelves

Sarah's Book Shelves — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 13:02:59 +0000

I’m so glad you loved this one, despite some just OK narration. You know how I’m kind of burned out of WWII? Well, I’m not burned out of the post-WWII Communist rule era! I’m still totally fascinated by that. And, you’re right, when all this was happening, I never really thought about what it was like for a family to live in East Germany or be separated from family by the Wall. I loved Willner’s portrait of daily life under East German rule – so many eye-opening details that I’d never really considered.