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The Berlin Letters
Near the end of the Cold War, a CIA code breaker discovers a symbol she recognizes from her childhood, which launches her across the world to the heart of Berlin just before the wall comes tumbling down. November 1989 —After finding a secret cache of letters with intelligence buried in the text, CIA cryptographer Luisa Voekler learns that not only is her father alive but he is languishing in an East German Stasi jail. After piecing together the letters with a series of articles her grandfather saved, Luisa seeks out journalists Bran Bishop and Daniel Rudd. They send her to the CIA, to Andrew Cademan—her boss. Luisa confronts Cademan and learns that nothing is a coincidence, but he will not help her free her father. So she takes matters into her own hands, empties her bank account, and flies to West Berlin. As the adrenaline wears off and she recognizes she has no idea how to proceed, Luisa is both relieved and surprised when a friend shows up with contacts and a rudimentary plan to sneak her across the wall. Alternating storylines between Luisa and her father, The Berlin Letters shows the tumultuous early days of the wall, bringing Berlin, the epicenter of the Cold War, to life while also sharing one family’s journey through secrets, lies, and division to love, freedom, and reconciliation.
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2024
About the author
Katherine Reay
14 books3,368 followersKatherine Reay is the national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels and one full length non-fiction work.
Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and is a wife, mother, rehabbing runner, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. She lives outside Chicago, IL.
You can meet her at www.katherinereay.com or on Facebook: KatherineReayBooks, Twitter: @katherine_reay or Instagram: @katherinereay.
Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and is a wife, mother, rehabbing runner, former marketer, and avid chocolate consumer. She lives outside Chicago, IL.
You can meet her at www.katherinereay.com or on Facebook: KatherineReayBooks, Twitter: @katherine_reay or Instagram: @katherinereay.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 896 reviews
February 22, 2024
'It's funny how easily you can convince yourself that the people you live with see the world like you do'.
The Berlin Letters takes us on a journey back through recent history and the day Russia permanently detached East Berlin from the West by building a solid wall. A wall that unexpectedly and instantaneously divided friends, families, employees, and even buildings. On that day in August 1961, Monika Voekler made a split decision, she wrenched her daughter Luisa from her stroller and threw her over the barbed wire into the arms of her father. Her father who, distrusting the increasing grip of the Iron Fist, had already moved to safety in the West. Eventually, Luisa moved to America. She grew up with her grandparents and believed her parents had died in a car accident when she was young. But in her new role as a decoder, at the CIA, she stumbles across a pack of letters that unsettle her. They seem familiar. In the true spirit of a spy game, full of secrets, she discovers the real truth about her family.
This dual-time, dual-narrated story ticks down from the building of the wall to a daring rescue before it's too late.
I really enjoyed this story. It has many layers to it and keeps building throughout and delivers at the end. 'The Berlin Letters' is not only for historical fiction lovers, and Cold War followers but also for those who enjoy spy novels.
Three word summary: informative, complex, and thrilling.
The Berlin Letters takes us on a journey back through recent history and the day Russia permanently detached East Berlin from the West by building a solid wall. A wall that unexpectedly and instantaneously divided friends, families, employees, and even buildings. On that day in August 1961, Monika Voekler made a split decision, she wrenched her daughter Luisa from her stroller and threw her over the barbed wire into the arms of her father. Her father who, distrusting the increasing grip of the Iron Fist, had already moved to safety in the West. Eventually, Luisa moved to America. She grew up with her grandparents and believed her parents had died in a car accident when she was young. But in her new role as a decoder, at the CIA, she stumbles across a pack of letters that unsettle her. They seem familiar. In the true spirit of a spy game, full of secrets, she discovers the real truth about her family.
This dual-time, dual-narrated story ticks down from the building of the wall to a daring rescue before it's too late.
I really enjoyed this story. It has many layers to it and keeps building throughout and delivers at the end. 'The Berlin Letters' is not only for historical fiction lovers, and Cold War followers but also for those who enjoy spy novels.
Three word summary: informative, complex, and thrilling.
March 5, 2024
Happy Publication Day!
Meticulously researched, fascinating and absolutely unputdownable. I loved everything about this book!
Luisa grew up thinking that both her parents had died in a car accident when she was three. Until one day she comes across a piece of information that makes her question everything she knows about her family. Did her beloved Opa keep secrets from her? Is her father alive?
This book will keep you on your toes from the beginning until the finish line. Told in dual timeline from the perspective of Luisa and her father Haris, it’s a gripping Cold War adventure novel but also a poignant story of a family divided by the Berlin Wall. It’s about solving riddles and defying the system but also about understanding, acceptance and perseverance.
Luisa and Haris were both wonderful characters and a delight to read. The way the family history was interwoven in the history of Berlin and Cold War in general was exquisite. There were plenty of historical references and details, all relevant to the story and enriching it in the best way possible. The little romance subplot was just a cherry on top.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Muse, it was a treat!
——-
This book!!!! Everything this author ever wrote goes on my tbr.
RTC
Meticulously researched, fascinating and absolutely unputdownable. I loved everything about this book!
Luisa grew up thinking that both her parents had died in a car accident when she was three. Until one day she comes across a piece of information that makes her question everything she knows about her family. Did her beloved Opa keep secrets from her? Is her father alive?
This book will keep you on your toes from the beginning until the finish line. Told in dual timeline from the perspective of Luisa and her father Haris, it’s a gripping Cold War adventure novel but also a poignant story of a family divided by the Berlin Wall. It’s about solving riddles and defying the system but also about understanding, acceptance and perseverance.
Luisa and Haris were both wonderful characters and a delight to read. The way the family history was interwoven in the history of Berlin and Cold War in general was exquisite. There were plenty of historical references and details, all relevant to the story and enriching it in the best way possible. The little romance subplot was just a cherry on top.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Muse, it was a treat!
——-
This book!!!! Everything this author ever wrote goes on my tbr.
RTC
November 27, 2023
“Some secrets can get you killed.”
This utterly absorbing historical fiction/Cold War espionage thriller will rate right up there with some of my top reads of the year. Not only did it have me grabbing my air mic, channeling my inner Cher, and belting out “If I Could Turn Back Time,” it also hooked me with a fascinating look at life in East Berlin and a protagonist with whom I empathized.
In short: Set during the Cold War, a CIA code-breaker risks it all to free a loved one from an East German prison.
Luisa Voekler, CIA cryptographer, is frustrated cuz her work is stuck in the past decoding Third Reich ciphers from WW2 while her co-workers have been given exciting and new Cold War assignments until one day she notices a symbol she recognizes from her childhood. Seeing it changes everything.
Harris Voekler, an East German, and the chief reporter for Neues Deutschland, the Party’s newspaper, is disgruntled that Soviet promises haven’t materialized. His outlook causes challenges within his marriage and he soon discovers that the Berlin Wall has separated him from his daughter. In desperation, he learns to send coded letters to his father-in-law in an effort to communicate with his family.
Luisa discovers this treasure trove when she’s working on decoding the WW2 messages and it opens up opportunities to understand the past and begin a new future. I loved reading about the Voekler family and their drive to freedom and reconciliation. Luisa’s examination of her past as a way to move forward captivated me and I was tempted to go down a rabbit hole learning about Vigenere and Caesar ciphers. My curiosity was piqued reading about why there was no advertising in East Berlin and why contact with the West was seen as disloyalty. Luisa’s life was forever changed on Sunday, August 13, 1961 … come find out why and how!
This compelling read about a family torn apart by the effects of a totalitarian regime and devastating secrets needs to be in every historical fiction reader's sights.
I was gifted this copy by Harper Muse and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This utterly absorbing historical fiction/Cold War espionage thriller will rate right up there with some of my top reads of the year. Not only did it have me grabbing my air mic, channeling my inner Cher, and belting out “If I Could Turn Back Time,” it also hooked me with a fascinating look at life in East Berlin and a protagonist with whom I empathized.
In short: Set during the Cold War, a CIA code-breaker risks it all to free a loved one from an East German prison.
Luisa Voekler, CIA cryptographer, is frustrated cuz her work is stuck in the past decoding Third Reich ciphers from WW2 while her co-workers have been given exciting and new Cold War assignments until one day she notices a symbol she recognizes from her childhood. Seeing it changes everything.
Harris Voekler, an East German, and the chief reporter for Neues Deutschland, the Party’s newspaper, is disgruntled that Soviet promises haven’t materialized. His outlook causes challenges within his marriage and he soon discovers that the Berlin Wall has separated him from his daughter. In desperation, he learns to send coded letters to his father-in-law in an effort to communicate with his family.
Luisa discovers this treasure trove when she’s working on decoding the WW2 messages and it opens up opportunities to understand the past and begin a new future. I loved reading about the Voekler family and their drive to freedom and reconciliation. Luisa’s examination of her past as a way to move forward captivated me and I was tempted to go down a rabbit hole learning about Vigenere and Caesar ciphers. My curiosity was piqued reading about why there was no advertising in East Berlin and why contact with the West was seen as disloyalty. Luisa’s life was forever changed on Sunday, August 13, 1961 … come find out why and how!
This compelling read about a family torn apart by the effects of a totalitarian regime and devastating secrets needs to be in every historical fiction reader's sights.
I was gifted this copy by Harper Muse and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
May 18, 2024
Have you ever wondered what life was like behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War era? In The Berlin Letters, Katherine Reay transports us to Cold War-era East Berlin, where CIA code breaker Luisa Voekler stumbles upon letters written by her presumably dead father and goes on a journey to uncover the truth.
📍 Historical Fiction - Cold War
📍 Espionage/Spy Thriller
📍 Dual Timelines
📍 Forbidden Love
📍 Family Secrets
A Dual Narrative
Alongside Luisa's story, we follow her father, Haris Voekler, a proud East Berliner whose eyes are opened to the harsh realities of Soviet rule. The dual narrative explores themes of hope and the unbreakable bonds of family. As Luisa and Haris's stories converge, I found myself deeply invested in their fates, eager to see how they would overcome the obstacles in their paths.
Final Thoughts
With its richly drawn characters and vivid imagery, The Berlin Letters is good for anyone looking for a thought-provoking journey to Cold War-era Berlin. It's a reminder that behind every historical event are the stories of real people, fighting their own battles and dreaming their own dreams.
📍 Historical Fiction - Cold War
📍 Espionage/Spy Thriller
📍 Dual Timelines
📍 Forbidden Love
📍 Family Secrets
A Dual Narrative
Alongside Luisa's story, we follow her father, Haris Voekler, a proud East Berliner whose eyes are opened to the harsh realities of Soviet rule. The dual narrative explores themes of hope and the unbreakable bonds of family. As Luisa and Haris's stories converge, I found myself deeply invested in their fates, eager to see how they would overcome the obstacles in their paths.
Final Thoughts
With its richly drawn characters and vivid imagery, The Berlin Letters is good for anyone looking for a thought-provoking journey to Cold War-era Berlin. It's a reminder that behind every historical event are the stories of real people, fighting their own battles and dreaming their own dreams.
Read
April 15, 2024Reviewed in the April 2024 edition of Quick Lit on Modern Mrs Darcy:
This is the first historical I've read from Katherine Reay, though her last several novels have been of that genre. I picked this up because I was certain we would pop over to Berlin when we were in Germany earlier this month. While we didn't make it to that great city, I'm thankful I at least got to visit on the page. The story revolves around a German family that was separated when the Berlin Wall went up overnight in 1961. Many years later, in 1989, Luisa puts the decoding skills she's been taught from a young age to use for the CIA in the DC area. She lives with her grandparents, since her parents were killed in a car accident when she was three—or so she was told. But after her grandfather dies, she finds a secret stash of his letters that leads her to question everything she's been told about her family, and eventually leads her to Berlin to catch up for lost time. I listened to the audio version, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Ann Marie Gideon, and P. J. Ochlan.
This is the first historical I've read from Katherine Reay, though her last several novels have been of that genre. I picked this up because I was certain we would pop over to Berlin when we were in Germany earlier this month. While we didn't make it to that great city, I'm thankful I at least got to visit on the page. The story revolves around a German family that was separated when the Berlin Wall went up overnight in 1961. Many years later, in 1989, Luisa puts the decoding skills she's been taught from a young age to use for the CIA in the DC area. She lives with her grandparents, since her parents were killed in a car accident when she was three—or so she was told. But after her grandfather dies, she finds a secret stash of his letters that leads her to question everything she's been told about her family, and eventually leads her to Berlin to catch up for lost time. I listened to the audio version, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Ann Marie Gideon, and P. J. Ochlan.
May 10, 2024
*** 4 Stars ***
I thought this novel was just amazing! It took me a little while to warm up to it, but once I did, I was all in and hooked to the very end! Katherine Reay took me on a journey to places and ideas that are pretty much NEW to me, and I just love when a book does that. It’s one of the reasons we read, right? I’m not holding back on this one, I absolutely and completely recommend this read!!
A Cautious Approach
So I went into this Cold War-set book with hesitation. I mean, a Cold War read doesn’t really sound like a party. Yet, diving into unfamiliar territory, especially East Berlin, proved to be an unexpectedly thrilling adventure! I remember watching the Berlin Wall fall on TV as a child, with Tom Brokaw narrating (with his Tom Brokaw voice!), leaving a vivid impression on me. It was a moment of joy and unity, watching as messages were exchanged in unique ways, such as ones that were written on soccer balls that were thrown over the wall. This book masterfully captures the suspense leading up to such a historical moment. It turns out, exploring the daunting atmosphere of East Berlin and its residents was fascinating, except for the Stasi informants, of course (totally not cool). My initial reluctance turned into fascination, reminding me it's never too late to explore new narratives!
The Quest for Connection
In "The Berlin Letters," the infamous Berlin Wall stands not just as a physical barrier but as a poignant symbol for the fragmented relationships among characters. Katherine Reay skillfully juxtaposes the tangible division of Berlin against the intangible separations within Luisa Voekler's family—spatial, generational, and ideological. Luisa, our protagonist, grapples with a profound sense of disconnect after discovering her late grandfather's possible espionage activities and the existence of her supposedly deceased father, Harris Voekler. Her journey to unravel the mysteries of her family with the aid of the coded letters offers a gripping exploration of the desperate need to bridge severed ties.
Lies and Secrets
Reay intricately draws her characters, each holding their own secrets. Luisa's discovery of her own family's web of secrets—her grandfather's suspected double life, her grandmother's silent witness to atrocities, and her own position as a CIA agent hidden from her family—highlights the complex dynamics of truth, deception, and survival. Similarly, Harris's life, shrouded in the secrecy required to navigate the oppressive regime of the DDR [Deutsche Demokratische Republik, the official name of East Germany], presents a compelling look into the costs of living true to one’s own convictions while outwardly a lie. Through Luisa and Harris's parallel stories, Reay exposes the harrowing impacts of secrets on personal relationships and the indelible scars they leave when uncovered.
Identity and Growth
The thematic core of "The Berlin Letters" revolves around identity and the painful yet transformative journey towards self-discovery and growth. Luisa's character arc, from a despaired ex-CIA trainee to a woman on a quest for truth and reconciliation, underscores the tumultuous process of rebuilding one's sense of purpose. Harris's ideological transformation, from a mouthpiece of DDR propaganda to a pivotal figure in the resistance, is rendered with a convincing depth of emotion and conviction. However, Luisa's almost capricious emotional shifts at the novel's very beginning and some instances of implausible naivety did detract slightly from her character's believability.
The Colors of Despair
Katherine Reay masterfully evokes the bleak, oppressive atmosphere of East Berlin, painting a vivid picture of a life shrouded in "gray." The omnipresent threat of the Stasi, casting a long shadow over personal freedoms and worsened by the reality that any one of your friends or family could be a ‘snitch’, and the portrayal of an environment stripped of vibrancy and variety, contribute to a palpable sense of despair. Yet, within this dreary setting, Reay skillfully highlights the resilience and depth of the human spirit through Harris's perspective, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. This hope is brightened by the great cost and sacrifice of Harris and others.
From Slow Burn to Suspense
The "The Berlin Letters" begins at a slow pace. While the stage is set with meticulous detail, the pacing is haphazard with a emotional tenor that sometimes felt to change by the paragraph. The development of the plot and the motivations of the characters failed to get me to believe in the story. However, the narrative eventually escalates into a riveting tale of suspense. Reay deftly navigates the initial slow build-up, weaving in elements of intrigue and tension that crescendo into a compelling, edge-of-your-seat experience. Trust me, the investment you make in the first third of the book pays off handsomely!
Nostalgia and Context
The novel's sparse references to 1980s culture, such as Blockbuster, the magic of VCRs, and the limitations of corded phones, offer fleeting glimpses into the era. For me, the frustrating logistics of making a private phone call with cords limited in length truly resonated! While these moments provide a touch of nostalgia and authenticity, a richer tapestry of period-specific details could have further enhanced the historical backdrop against which the characters' stories unfold. More vivid depictions of the time period would have grounded the narrative more firmly in its historical context, adding depth and texture to the immersive experience.
The Punks of East Berlin
One of Reay's most evocative accomplishments in "The Berlin Letters" is her portrayal of the punk movement in East Berlin. Through vivid descriptions of the music, fashion, and defiant spirit of punk teenagers, she captures the essence of a youth culture in rebellion against state oppression. These punks were not the kind that rebel against parental authority - they were risking their lives to challenge a repressive regime. They will come to play an essential role in the plot. Reay honors their courage and significance, adding to the rich layers of cultural resistance to the narrative.
To Wrap it Up
"The Berlin Letters" is a wonderfully crafted novel that masterfully explores themes of connection, secrecy, identity, and resilience. Despite its initial slow pace and occasional lapses in character consistency, Katherine Reay's narrative prowess and the emotional depth of her characters make this a must-read. For those seeking a journey through the complexities of human spirit set against the backdrop of one of history's most tumultuous periods, this book is an emphatic recommendation! Dive in, and let the walls come down as you traverse the rich, intricate landscapes of "The Berlin Letters."
4 Stars
Criteria: A 4-star rating is for books that are compelling, thought-provoking, and well-executed across the board. These books offer deep character development, an engaging plot, and a memorable writing style. They might introduce innovative ideas or explore themes in a way that resonates deeply. While not flawless, a 4-star book is one I would eagerly recommend and reflects a high level of enjoyment and appreciation.
I thought this novel was just amazing! It took me a little while to warm up to it, but once I did, I was all in and hooked to the very end! Katherine Reay took me on a journey to places and ideas that are pretty much NEW to me, and I just love when a book does that. It’s one of the reasons we read, right? I’m not holding back on this one, I absolutely and completely recommend this read!!
A Cautious Approach
So I went into this Cold War-set book with hesitation. I mean, a Cold War read doesn’t really sound like a party. Yet, diving into unfamiliar territory, especially East Berlin, proved to be an unexpectedly thrilling adventure! I remember watching the Berlin Wall fall on TV as a child, with Tom Brokaw narrating (with his Tom Brokaw voice!), leaving a vivid impression on me. It was a moment of joy and unity, watching as messages were exchanged in unique ways, such as ones that were written on soccer balls that were thrown over the wall. This book masterfully captures the suspense leading up to such a historical moment. It turns out, exploring the daunting atmosphere of East Berlin and its residents was fascinating, except for the Stasi informants, of course (totally not cool). My initial reluctance turned into fascination, reminding me it's never too late to explore new narratives!
"It's funny how easily you can convince yourself that the people you live with see the world like you do."
The Quest for Connection
In "The Berlin Letters," the infamous Berlin Wall stands not just as a physical barrier but as a poignant symbol for the fragmented relationships among characters. Katherine Reay skillfully juxtaposes the tangible division of Berlin against the intangible separations within Luisa Voekler's family—spatial, generational, and ideological. Luisa, our protagonist, grapples with a profound sense of disconnect after discovering her late grandfather's possible espionage activities and the existence of her supposedly deceased father, Harris Voekler. Her journey to unravel the mysteries of her family with the aid of the coded letters offers a gripping exploration of the desperate need to bridge severed ties.
"After all, how can one truly know oneself when everything around them is a lie?"
Lies and Secrets
Reay intricately draws her characters, each holding their own secrets. Luisa's discovery of her own family's web of secrets—her grandfather's suspected double life, her grandmother's silent witness to atrocities, and her own position as a CIA agent hidden from her family—highlights the complex dynamics of truth, deception, and survival. Similarly, Harris's life, shrouded in the secrecy required to navigate the oppressive regime of the DDR [Deutsche Demokratische Republik, the official name of East Germany], presents a compelling look into the costs of living true to one’s own convictions while outwardly a lie. Through Luisa and Harris's parallel stories, Reay exposes the harrowing impacts of secrets on personal relationships and the indelible scars they leave when uncovered.
"It's a family trait... We all have secrets."
Identity and Growth
The thematic core of "The Berlin Letters" revolves around identity and the painful yet transformative journey towards self-discovery and growth. Luisa's character arc, from a despaired ex-CIA trainee to a woman on a quest for truth and reconciliation, underscores the tumultuous process of rebuilding one's sense of purpose. Harris's ideological transformation, from a mouthpiece of DDR propaganda to a pivotal figure in the resistance, is rendered with a convincing depth of emotion and conviction. However, Luisa's almost capricious emotional shifts at the novel's very beginning and some instances of implausible naivety did detract slightly from her character's believability.
"The goal is to have at least one informant in every apartment, group, club, office, and factory. It's very impressive."
The Colors of Despair
Katherine Reay masterfully evokes the bleak, oppressive atmosphere of East Berlin, painting a vivid picture of a life shrouded in "gray." The omnipresent threat of the Stasi, casting a long shadow over personal freedoms and worsened by the reality that any one of your friends or family could be a ‘snitch’, and the portrayal of an environment stripped of vibrancy and variety, contribute to a palpable sense of despair. Yet, within this dreary setting, Reay skillfully highlights the resilience and depth of the human spirit through Harris's perspective, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. This hope is brightened by the great cost and sacrifice of Harris and others.
From Slow Burn to Suspense
The "The Berlin Letters" begins at a slow pace. While the stage is set with meticulous detail, the pacing is haphazard with a emotional tenor that sometimes felt to change by the paragraph. The development of the plot and the motivations of the characters failed to get me to believe in the story. However, the narrative eventually escalates into a riveting tale of suspense. Reay deftly navigates the initial slow build-up, weaving in elements of intrigue and tension that crescendo into a compelling, edge-of-your-seat experience. Trust me, the investment you make in the first third of the book pays off handsomely!
Nostalgia and Context
The novel's sparse references to 1980s culture, such as Blockbuster, the magic of VCRs, and the limitations of corded phones, offer fleeting glimpses into the era. For me, the frustrating logistics of making a private phone call with cords limited in length truly resonated! While these moments provide a touch of nostalgia and authenticity, a richer tapestry of period-specific details could have further enhanced the historical backdrop against which the characters' stories unfold. More vivid depictions of the time period would have grounded the narrative more firmly in its historical context, adding depth and texture to the immersive experience.
"Don't die in the waiting room of the future."
The Punks of East Berlin
One of Reay's most evocative accomplishments in "The Berlin Letters" is her portrayal of the punk movement in East Berlin. Through vivid descriptions of the music, fashion, and defiant spirit of punk teenagers, she captures the essence of a youth culture in rebellion against state oppression. These punks were not the kind that rebel against parental authority - they were risking their lives to challenge a repressive regime. They will come to play an essential role in the plot. Reay honors their courage and significance, adding to the rich layers of cultural resistance to the narrative.
To Wrap it Up
"The Berlin Letters" is a wonderfully crafted novel that masterfully explores themes of connection, secrecy, identity, and resilience. Despite its initial slow pace and occasional lapses in character consistency, Katherine Reay's narrative prowess and the emotional depth of her characters make this a must-read. For those seeking a journey through the complexities of human spirit set against the backdrop of one of history's most tumultuous periods, this book is an emphatic recommendation! Dive in, and let the walls come down as you traverse the rich, intricate landscapes of "The Berlin Letters."
4 Stars
Criteria: A 4-star rating is for books that are compelling, thought-provoking, and well-executed across the board. These books offer deep character development, an engaging plot, and a memorable writing style. They might introduce innovative ideas or explore themes in a way that resonates deeply. While not flawless, a 4-star book is one I would eagerly recommend and reflects a high level of enjoyment and appreciation.
March 18, 2024
The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay was a fast paced and riveting book. It was written in a duel time line and narrative. The characters were compelling and well developed and there were several twists and turns throughout the book. The Berlin Letters was well written and impeccably researched. It covered the years from when the Berlin Wall was first built through the years of the Cold War in a very believable manner. I listened to the audiobook that was very well narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Ann Marie Gideon and P. J. Ochlan.
For several years before the concept of the Berlin Wall was implemented, many families began leaving East Berlin, choosing to live in West Berlin instead. Monika Voekler’s parents, Gertrude and Walther and her younger sister, Alice, had done just that. They had left East Berlin a few months prior to the wall being built. Even though the city of Berlin was divided into the American sector or West Berlin and the Democratic Sector of Berlin or East Berlin, it was easy enough to cross over into one or the other without any difficulty. Prior to her parents’ move to West Berlin, Monika had married Haris Voekler. Monika and Haris now had a three year old daughter named Luisa. Haris worked at the Party’s newspaper, the Neues Deutschland. He was considered a highly regarded reporter. Haris believed in the Party and supported them completely so he refused to follow Monika’s parents to West Berlin. Monika and Haris had a good life in East Berlin.
On the morning of August 13, 1961, everything changed. Haris got a phone call that morning that something was happening at Potsdamer Platz. He was told that an “anti-Fascist protection barrier” was being constructed and that he was expected to cover it and write about it for the evening edition of the newspaper. Monika, Haris and Luisa had plans to have lunch with Monika’s parents that day. Haris was unsure that he would be able to join them. Monika and Luisa went on their own. When Monika arrived at the border crossing she was surprised by what she saw. The crossing was heavily guarded and barbed wire had been installed. Monika was prohibited from entering West Berlin. She spotted her family and learned from her father that the Party had secured the border crossings because they saw it as “necessary to keep unsavory western influences away from their pure ideology“ and that it would not be coming down any time soon. In that instant, Monika made the most difficult decision of her life. Monika lifted Luisa high above her head and propelled her through the air into her father’s arms. She would never hold or be able to kiss her little daughter again. In the following days, Monika lived for the few moments she was able to see Luisa. Her parents brought Luisa to the wall everyday. Monika treasured those moments even though they were from a distance. She got as close to the wall as was allowed so she could see her daughter. Then word came to Monika that her parents, Alice and Luisa immigrated to America. Monika was beyond distraught and inconsolable.
Luisa grew up in America and was brought up by her grandparents. She was told that her parents had died in a car crash. Luisa was encouraged by her grandfather from early on in her life to help him solve puzzles and decipher codes he made up for her. It was no wonder, then, that Luisa trained to become a member of the CIA. After Luisa’s grandfather died, she found herself living with her grandmother. While going through some of her late grandfather’s things, Luisa discovered a stack of correspondence between her grandfather and her father. Luisa discovered that her father was still very much alive and still in East Berlin. What will Luisa do with this newly acquired information? Will she be able to discover a way to get her father out of East Berlin and be reacquainted with him after all these years of believing that he was dead?
The Berlin Letters alternated between Luisa’s and Haris’s narratives and alternated between the years of the 1960’s and the latter years of the 1980’s. It was a superb example of a parent’s heartbreaking sacrifice for the future welfare of their child and a child’s determination to rescue a parent they were denied of knowing. The Berlin Letters focused on family, choices, grooming and preparation for the future, secrets, lies, hope, resilience, bravery and courage. Be prepared for lots of espionage, a way of life that made my heart pound and lots of twists and turns along the way. I really enjoyed reading The Berlin Letters. It was a very telling book that disclosed much about the life that people in East Berlin led during the Cold War years. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Recorded Books for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For several years before the concept of the Berlin Wall was implemented, many families began leaving East Berlin, choosing to live in West Berlin instead. Monika Voekler’s parents, Gertrude and Walther and her younger sister, Alice, had done just that. They had left East Berlin a few months prior to the wall being built. Even though the city of Berlin was divided into the American sector or West Berlin and the Democratic Sector of Berlin or East Berlin, it was easy enough to cross over into one or the other without any difficulty. Prior to her parents’ move to West Berlin, Monika had married Haris Voekler. Monika and Haris now had a three year old daughter named Luisa. Haris worked at the Party’s newspaper, the Neues Deutschland. He was considered a highly regarded reporter. Haris believed in the Party and supported them completely so he refused to follow Monika’s parents to West Berlin. Monika and Haris had a good life in East Berlin.
On the morning of August 13, 1961, everything changed. Haris got a phone call that morning that something was happening at Potsdamer Platz. He was told that an “anti-Fascist protection barrier” was being constructed and that he was expected to cover it and write about it for the evening edition of the newspaper. Monika, Haris and Luisa had plans to have lunch with Monika’s parents that day. Haris was unsure that he would be able to join them. Monika and Luisa went on their own. When Monika arrived at the border crossing she was surprised by what she saw. The crossing was heavily guarded and barbed wire had been installed. Monika was prohibited from entering West Berlin. She spotted her family and learned from her father that the Party had secured the border crossings because they saw it as “necessary to keep unsavory western influences away from their pure ideology“ and that it would not be coming down any time soon. In that instant, Monika made the most difficult decision of her life. Monika lifted Luisa high above her head and propelled her through the air into her father’s arms. She would never hold or be able to kiss her little daughter again. In the following days, Monika lived for the few moments she was able to see Luisa. Her parents brought Luisa to the wall everyday. Monika treasured those moments even though they were from a distance. She got as close to the wall as was allowed so she could see her daughter. Then word came to Monika that her parents, Alice and Luisa immigrated to America. Monika was beyond distraught and inconsolable.
Luisa grew up in America and was brought up by her grandparents. She was told that her parents had died in a car crash. Luisa was encouraged by her grandfather from early on in her life to help him solve puzzles and decipher codes he made up for her. It was no wonder, then, that Luisa trained to become a member of the CIA. After Luisa’s grandfather died, she found herself living with her grandmother. While going through some of her late grandfather’s things, Luisa discovered a stack of correspondence between her grandfather and her father. Luisa discovered that her father was still very much alive and still in East Berlin. What will Luisa do with this newly acquired information? Will she be able to discover a way to get her father out of East Berlin and be reacquainted with him after all these years of believing that he was dead?
The Berlin Letters alternated between Luisa’s and Haris’s narratives and alternated between the years of the 1960’s and the latter years of the 1980’s. It was a superb example of a parent’s heartbreaking sacrifice for the future welfare of their child and a child’s determination to rescue a parent they were denied of knowing. The Berlin Letters focused on family, choices, grooming and preparation for the future, secrets, lies, hope, resilience, bravery and courage. Be prepared for lots of espionage, a way of life that made my heart pound and lots of twists and turns along the way. I really enjoyed reading The Berlin Letters. It was a very telling book that disclosed much about the life that people in East Berlin led during the Cold War years. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Recorded Books for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2024
Just wow!
What happens after the Berlin Wall?
Haven’t read many books on this part of history- Cold War and Russia!
The only thing- I needed a little bit more! A little bit more is the characters, a little bit more of their story, a little bit more of History.
Reay does an amazing job in her research! Can I just read her research?
And caveat I finished it three days before I go hear her!!
💬 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
💬*𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.* Thank you Net Galley for the first look!
💬 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
What happens after the Berlin Wall?
Haven’t read many books on this part of history- Cold War and Russia!
The only thing- I needed a little bit more! A little bit more is the characters, a little bit more of their story, a little bit more of History.
Reay does an amazing job in her research! Can I just read her research?
And caveat I finished it three days before I go hear her!!
💬 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
💬*𝙈𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.* Thank you Net Galley for the first look!
💬 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/
December 28, 2023
On my first trip to Berlin I had the privilege of listening to stories of people who experienced the wall going up and the wall going down while sitting at a breakfast table. In this book Katherine Reay has captured the essence of that experience in a page turner while transporting you to one of my favorite cities in the world. She has done so while creating characters that are real and match their time. I highly recommend this novel.
February 27, 2024
1961: As the Berlin Wall goes up, Monica makes a wrenching choice—she passes her daughter over the barrier to her parents in West Berlin. Their lives will never be the same.
1989: Having moved to the US with her grandparents as a young child, Luisa has grown up knowing the power of secrets—enough so that she's a CIA codebreaker. But the discovery of a cache of letters turns everything she thought she knew about her past on its head and upsets her orderly life and sends her deep into the desperation of a crumbling East Berlin.
I've been more and more curious about life in East Berlin and the DDR more generally, and I absolutely flew through The Berlin Letters. There are two timelines here, and although initially I was far more invested in the 1961+ timeline, it didn't take long to get wrapped up in Luisa's story as well. As the plot goes on, Luisa gets more and more invested not just in what happened in the early days of the Cold War but in what is happening now, with the DDR teetering on the edge of collapse—and with crucial parts of her own story trapped behind the wall. I said above that I was initially more invested in the earlier timeline, but I didn't expect to sympathize so much with that section's narrator. Reay does skilful work in the gradual growth and learning of her characters.
The codebreaking aspect is fascinating, though I wished I better understood what the particular key in a given letter was—not sure if that will be clearer in hard copies of the book (I read an e-copy, and sometimes hard copies manage differences in color, formatting, etc., than e-copies do). I was also a bit sorry not to see...more urgency to Luisa's present-day work, maybe. Without giving too much away, I'll say that the codes she's breaking here have huge implications for the earlier timeline, but the implications for the later timeline are more abstract—enough so that, because we learn about them first in the later timeline, they don't hold quite as much suspense as they might otherwise.
All told, this makes me want to look for more of its ilk—accessible fiction about a time and place that I struggle to bring to life in my own imagination.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley. (I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
1989: Having moved to the US with her grandparents as a young child, Luisa has grown up knowing the power of secrets—enough so that she's a CIA codebreaker. But the discovery of a cache of letters turns everything she thought she knew about her past on its head and upsets her orderly life and sends her deep into the desperation of a crumbling East Berlin.
I've been more and more curious about life in East Berlin and the DDR more generally, and I absolutely flew through The Berlin Letters. There are two timelines here, and although initially I was far more invested in the 1961+ timeline, it didn't take long to get wrapped up in Luisa's story as well. As the plot goes on, Luisa gets more and more invested not just in what happened in the early days of the Cold War but in what is happening now, with the DDR teetering on the edge of collapse—and with crucial parts of her own story trapped behind the wall. I said above that I was initially more invested in the earlier timeline, but I didn't expect to sympathize so much with that section's narrator. Reay does skilful work in the gradual growth and learning of her characters.
The codebreaking aspect is fascinating, though I wished I better understood what the particular key in a given letter was—not sure if that will be clearer in hard copies of the book (I read an e-copy, and sometimes hard copies manage differences in color, formatting, etc., than e-copies do). I was also a bit sorry not to see...more urgency to Luisa's present-day work, maybe. Without giving too much away, I'll say that the codes she's breaking here have huge implications for the earlier timeline, but the implications for the later timeline are more abstract—enough so that, because we learn about them first in the later timeline, they don't hold quite as much suspense as they might otherwise.
All told, this makes me want to look for more of its ilk—accessible fiction about a time and place that I struggle to bring to life in my own imagination.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley. (I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
December 25, 2023
The Berlin Letters was a really interesting look into something that happened not too long ago in history: the Berlin Wall. I haven't read many historical fiction books that center around this event, and it was fascinating to step into the shoes of the characters and experience this time in history for myself. I really loved the idea of a father-and-daughter timeline. It gave the book a definite family feel to it, which I so appreciated.
I think my forever favorite book by the author will be The London House, but The Berlin Letters was an intriguing read. Full of themes such as family, sacrifice, forgiveness, and beauty from ashes, The Berlin Letters is a touching read. The climax of the story had me on the edge of my seat, and the ending...I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ending.
The only thing that kept me from giving this book a full five stars is because the pacing felt a bit slow initially, giving the story a dragged-out feeling. However, I knew if I stuck with it, I would get invested in the story, and I was right. ;)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Berlin Letters. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
I think my forever favorite book by the author will be The London House, but The Berlin Letters was an intriguing read. Full of themes such as family, sacrifice, forgiveness, and beauty from ashes, The Berlin Letters is a touching read. The climax of the story had me on the edge of my seat, and the ending...I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ending.
The only thing that kept me from giving this book a full five stars is because the pacing felt a bit slow initially, giving the story a dragged-out feeling. However, I knew if I stuck with it, I would get invested in the story, and I was right. ;)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Berlin Letters. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.
March 15, 2024
Loved, loved, loved, loved! I am endlessly fascinated by stories of the Berlin Wall and Katherine Reay's storytelling is as fabulous as always. Love the writing, love the intrigue. Reay is an auto-buy author for me—even if I read digital copies of her book, I always end up buying a hard copy for my shelf.
March 5, 2024
Dark days of the past haunt and beckon.
Improbable? Possibly not. When the wall dividing Berlin went up, the world gasped. When the wall came down the world was ecstatic.
Luisa Voekler is a baby when the wall interrupts their lives. Her mother, Monica, throws Luisa across the razor wire to her grandparents. Monica attempts to follow, climbing through the wire. At the last minute she is noticed by the guards.
Luisa’s father Harris is a successful journalist in East Berlin, a true believer, a product of the benevolent state. It’s only years later he becomes a subversive.
Her grandparents take Luisa and flee to the states. It seems there is something about her grandfather that made him an asset to those there. He’s an expert cryptographer. Luisa’s grandfather taught her from a child to decipher riddles and codes. She even had to solve codes to find her birthday presents.
When older, Luisa trains with the CIA as an agent but she’s suddenly moved from that program working on budgets and now as an analyst.
She stumbles upon letters that have envelopes with a symbol she recognizes. Hints left by her grandfather when they played at solving encryptions.
Luisa realizes her father is alive, detained by the Stasi, about to be transported to a prison far away. She goes to go to Berlin to bribe guards and obtain his release. Dangerous as it is, she’s compelled to do what she can. Anything could go wrong.
I found the ending, although heart stopping, just a tad to pat.
An exciting Cold War thriller, set in places I recognize.
A Harper Muse ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Improbable? Possibly not. When the wall dividing Berlin went up, the world gasped. When the wall came down the world was ecstatic.
Luisa Voekler is a baby when the wall interrupts their lives. Her mother, Monica, throws Luisa across the razor wire to her grandparents. Monica attempts to follow, climbing through the wire. At the last minute she is noticed by the guards.
Luisa’s father Harris is a successful journalist in East Berlin, a true believer, a product of the benevolent state. It’s only years later he becomes a subversive.
Her grandparents take Luisa and flee to the states. It seems there is something about her grandfather that made him an asset to those there. He’s an expert cryptographer. Luisa’s grandfather taught her from a child to decipher riddles and codes. She even had to solve codes to find her birthday presents.
When older, Luisa trains with the CIA as an agent but she’s suddenly moved from that program working on budgets and now as an analyst.
She stumbles upon letters that have envelopes with a symbol she recognizes. Hints left by her grandfather when they played at solving encryptions.
Luisa realizes her father is alive, detained by the Stasi, about to be transported to a prison far away. She goes to go to Berlin to bribe guards and obtain his release. Dangerous as it is, she’s compelled to do what she can. Anything could go wrong.
I found the ending, although heart stopping, just a tad to pat.
An exciting Cold War thriller, set in places I recognize.
A Harper Muse ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
March 6, 2024
What a gripping tale! I read 'til dawn to find out what happens to CIA code breaker Luisa Voekler and her father. Makes the scary Cold War era come alive, and will definitely grab histfic lovers of the 20th Century, as it did me. Unputdownable!
March 19, 2024
“Don’t die in the waiting room of the future.”
Another phenomenal historical fiction from Katherine Reay! I was in high school when the Berlin Wall seemed to come down overnight. The Berlin Letters swept me back in time to 1989 when punk rock was at its height and the Iron Curtain was finally coming down. This powerful story of a father and daughter separated by a wall of information and a literal wall kept me on the edge of my seat.
Luisa grew up loving cracking the codes her grandfather created for her. Now a code breaker for the CIA, she uncovers a link to her own past while decoding letters from the WWII era.
After once being a proud Soviet East Berliner, journalist Haris Voekler is now disillusioned by the unkept promises of the GDR. After losing his daughter and wife, he begins writing coded letters to his father-in-law who lives on the other side of the wall. He shares what’s happening as neighbor spies on neighbor and the underground youth punk movement begins working for freedom.
After her grandfather’s death Luisa discovers hidden letters from her father. Learning he’s alive and in prison, she attempts a daring rescue to free him from East Berlin.
This book was such a touching, suspenseful snapshot of what was going on in Germany 1989. The intensity is palpable especially when Luisa is in East Berlin trying to rescue her father. When the borders are suddenly opened, I loved the feeling of both euphoria and fear as the people wonder if it’s real and lasting or if East Germany’s iron fist will close them again. When Luisa & Haris meet for the first time, it’s such an emotional yet intense moment after being separated for 20 plus years.
The twists and turns, complex relationships, powerful historical details woven throughout, suspense and even a hint of romance kept me eagerly turning the pages. Definitely recommend this amazing book to historical fiction lovers. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher through TLC Booktours. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
Another phenomenal historical fiction from Katherine Reay! I was in high school when the Berlin Wall seemed to come down overnight. The Berlin Letters swept me back in time to 1989 when punk rock was at its height and the Iron Curtain was finally coming down. This powerful story of a father and daughter separated by a wall of information and a literal wall kept me on the edge of my seat.
Luisa grew up loving cracking the codes her grandfather created for her. Now a code breaker for the CIA, she uncovers a link to her own past while decoding letters from the WWII era.
After once being a proud Soviet East Berliner, journalist Haris Voekler is now disillusioned by the unkept promises of the GDR. After losing his daughter and wife, he begins writing coded letters to his father-in-law who lives on the other side of the wall. He shares what’s happening as neighbor spies on neighbor and the underground youth punk movement begins working for freedom.
After her grandfather’s death Luisa discovers hidden letters from her father. Learning he’s alive and in prison, she attempts a daring rescue to free him from East Berlin.
This book was such a touching, suspenseful snapshot of what was going on in Germany 1989. The intensity is palpable especially when Luisa is in East Berlin trying to rescue her father. When the borders are suddenly opened, I loved the feeling of both euphoria and fear as the people wonder if it’s real and lasting or if East Germany’s iron fist will close them again. When Luisa & Haris meet for the first time, it’s such an emotional yet intense moment after being separated for 20 plus years.
The twists and turns, complex relationships, powerful historical details woven throughout, suspense and even a hint of romance kept me eagerly turning the pages. Definitely recommend this amazing book to historical fiction lovers. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher through TLC Booktours. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.
April 14, 2024
This was the historical fiction novel I had been craving. I loved the characters, dual POV, settings, and plot. Perfect! I learned so much about the construction and fall of the Berlin Wall.
The audiobook was fantastic- I only wish Saskia Maarleveld had gotten a bit more narration time.
The audiobook was fantastic- I only wish Saskia Maarleveld had gotten a bit more narration time.
September 5, 2024
The title is what put this on my TBR list. I lived in West Berlin from April-July 1989, a mere 4 months before The Wall came down. While in West Berlin, I did cross at Checkpoint Charley on a day pass to visit East Berlin. So many places and street names I recognized and memories flooded back. This is the first historical fiction I have ever read that I have experienced to a small degree and I was enthralled!
This book is a dual timeline, with Luisa’s story taking place over a very short period of time starting in October 1989, and Haris’s story taking place between about 1961. The history around the Berlin Wall was phenomenal! The different worldviews of Luisa and Haris are portrayed very well! I listened to the audio version which was spectacularly done!
This book is a dual timeline, with Luisa’s story taking place over a very short period of time starting in October 1989, and Haris’s story taking place between about 1961. The history around the Berlin Wall was phenomenal! The different worldviews of Luisa and Haris are portrayed very well! I listened to the audio version which was spectacularly done!
August 16, 2024
Audiobook
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It brought back so many memories of that time in history. My daughter was in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down and she brought me a piece of it which I still have to this day. I remember the excitement we felt at the time. Which made this story all the more real to me.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It brought back so many memories of that time in history. My daughter was in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down and she brought me a piece of it which I still have to this day. I remember the excitement we felt at the time. Which made this story all the more real to me.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
Read
March 23, 2024The Berlin Letters has a fascinating premise with complex and intriguing characters. The reader is immediately transported to 1961 Berlin as it was being divided and also to 1989 Berlin as the wall comes down. This is a captivating and compelling look at Cold War history.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
March 16, 2024
4.5 stars
Like anyone who grew up in the 80s, I remember the news footage of the day the Berlin Wall came down. I knew it was monumental, even in my 12 year old mind, but until reading The Berlin Letters, I didn’t really have a human connection to it. In her latest Cold War novel, author Katherine Reay gives heart and breath and soul to the people living on both sides of the Wall and those fighting for freedom (be they within or without).
I loved Luisa, the little 3-year-old we meet at a life-altering moment … and then the 31-year-old we become reacquainted with as everything changes for her once more. Bookending those two meetings is the Berlin Wall, from its very beginning to its final days, and the author made the history & politics come alive with a dual narrative that gave me a new perspective on those tough years in between. And while my life experiences don’t mirror Luisa’s in any sense, I still felt as though I could easily place myself in her shoes because of how relatable Reay made her personality and insecurities. I came to love her father’s character as well, through his narrative sections as well as through the letters that Luisa uncovers after her grandfather’s death. There are some stunning twists to his story, and I was glued to the last half of the book, barely remembering to breathe!
Bottom Line: Code breaking, hidden letters, mysterious pasts, the CIA, newspaper reporters, covert missions, snitches, secrets upon secrets… And family. And friends. And a subtle reminder that God never wastes a single thing in our lives. I loved The Berlin Letters from cover to cover and could not put it down! The characters are so well-layered, the history so compelling, and the writing voice so engaging that I’m confident you will quickly become immersed in it as well. The espionage elements fascinated me (I’ve secretly wanted to work for the CIA since my very first episode of Scarecrow & Mrs King haha), and I learned things that I wasn’t taught in school about the Berlin Wall. All while being thoroughly entertained and drawn to a story so far from my own and yet the emotions remained completely relatable at the same time. I’ve loved everything Katherine Reay writes but I have especially loved her Cold War novels and I hope there are more to come!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Like anyone who grew up in the 80s, I remember the news footage of the day the Berlin Wall came down. I knew it was monumental, even in my 12 year old mind, but until reading The Berlin Letters, I didn’t really have a human connection to it. In her latest Cold War novel, author Katherine Reay gives heart and breath and soul to the people living on both sides of the Wall and those fighting for freedom (be they within or without).
I loved Luisa, the little 3-year-old we meet at a life-altering moment … and then the 31-year-old we become reacquainted with as everything changes for her once more. Bookending those two meetings is the Berlin Wall, from its very beginning to its final days, and the author made the history & politics come alive with a dual narrative that gave me a new perspective on those tough years in between. And while my life experiences don’t mirror Luisa’s in any sense, I still felt as though I could easily place myself in her shoes because of how relatable Reay made her personality and insecurities. I came to love her father’s character as well, through his narrative sections as well as through the letters that Luisa uncovers after her grandfather’s death. There are some stunning twists to his story, and I was glued to the last half of the book, barely remembering to breathe!
Bottom Line: Code breaking, hidden letters, mysterious pasts, the CIA, newspaper reporters, covert missions, snitches, secrets upon secrets… And family. And friends. And a subtle reminder that God never wastes a single thing in our lives. I loved The Berlin Letters from cover to cover and could not put it down! The characters are so well-layered, the history so compelling, and the writing voice so engaging that I’m confident you will quickly become immersed in it as well. The espionage elements fascinated me (I’ve secretly wanted to work for the CIA since my very first episode of Scarecrow & Mrs King haha), and I learned things that I wasn’t taught in school about the Berlin Wall. All while being thoroughly entertained and drawn to a story so far from my own and yet the emotions remained completely relatable at the same time. I’ve loved everything Katherine Reay writes but I have especially loved her Cold War novels and I hope there are more to come!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
February 10, 2024
I feel like I've entered my "historical era" and what I mean by that is that historical fiction now encompasses events that have taken place in my lifetime. While it's true that the Berlin Wall was erected long before my birth (1961– my mother was four, my father was born two years later), here is where *I* intersect with this chapter in history:
1987– I was born
1989– the wall "came down"
1990– my family moved to Germany (we have photos of my parents using a mallet and a chisel to chip pieces of the wall off as souvenirs)
It's hard not to feel the enormity of this. I grew up watching ice skating (which may sound like a tangent but it applies, I swear) and I distinctly remember watching the 1994 Olympic Games where Katerina Witt skated a Robin Hood routine (to the Michael Kamen soundtrack) and it was the first time a German had been able to skate for United Germany in decades. I can still feel the goosebumps on my arms as Scott Hamilton talked about the joy of seeing her skate while her parents watched, being able to leave East Germany to see their daughter compete for the first time.
Why do I digress in this review? Because what are books but a way to engage with the things that have taken place or a way to process the enormity of life, whether it's history or fantasy? In this case, Katherine Reay has crafted a compelling historical fiction narrative of a mother's sacrifice, a grandfather's secret, a father's evolution, and a daughter's determination to make it all worthwhile. The Berlin Wall was a real thing and it really kept people trapped and terrified for years; but even in the midst of that incredible hardship, there were people brave enough to say this:
"It's letting go of what you're supposed to do be doing for whatever comes your way. It's about creating a future of our own making, not accepting the one they shove at us. And it's all risk. Every breath in every day."
I loved this book and I will be preordering it. I received a copy of "The Berlin Letters" from NetGalley and Harper Collins in exchange for my honest review. It comes out March 5th.
1987– I was born
1989– the wall "came down"
1990– my family moved to Germany (we have photos of my parents using a mallet and a chisel to chip pieces of the wall off as souvenirs)
It's hard not to feel the enormity of this. I grew up watching ice skating (which may sound like a tangent but it applies, I swear) and I distinctly remember watching the 1994 Olympic Games where Katerina Witt skated a Robin Hood routine (to the Michael Kamen soundtrack) and it was the first time a German had been able to skate for United Germany in decades. I can still feel the goosebumps on my arms as Scott Hamilton talked about the joy of seeing her skate while her parents watched, being able to leave East Germany to see their daughter compete for the first time.
Why do I digress in this review? Because what are books but a way to engage with the things that have taken place or a way to process the enormity of life, whether it's history or fantasy? In this case, Katherine Reay has crafted a compelling historical fiction narrative of a mother's sacrifice, a grandfather's secret, a father's evolution, and a daughter's determination to make it all worthwhile. The Berlin Wall was a real thing and it really kept people trapped and terrified for years; but even in the midst of that incredible hardship, there were people brave enough to say this:
"It's letting go of what you're supposed to do be doing for whatever comes your way. It's about creating a future of our own making, not accepting the one they shove at us. And it's all risk. Every breath in every day."
I loved this book and I will be preordering it. I received a copy of "The Berlin Letters" from NetGalley and Harper Collins in exchange for my honest review. It comes out March 5th.
March 17, 2024
I have truly enjoyed reading Reay’s previous publications, and A Shadow in Moscow found its way onto my lifetime favorite shelf last year. The Berlin Letters is another rich story full of heart, suspense and emotion that tells an unforgettable espionage story from the Cold War of a family torn apart because of the Iron Curtain.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I loved the dual timelines in this story. Usually in a historical fiction book I tend to find myself engrossed in the one particular timeline and always wanting to get back to it. That was not the case in this book at all. I could not get enough of the tension, suspense, character growth, and of course the risks related to being a spy in Germany from post WWII to the late 1980s.
I also liked how Reay took a unique look at the Cold War and the erection of the Berlin Wall as the story was told through the alternating points of view from both father and daughter, as one struggles to live with the consequences of his allegiances while under a controlling and oppressive regime.
How was the audio version?
This is the perfect book to listen to! It was almost like a movie as I found myself walking, running, and holding my breath right along side the two lead characters. I also have to give the story credit for tacking on an extra few miles to my walks, because I just couldn't stop listening, since each chapter would leave you wanting more.
Read if you like:
Multiple POV
Dual Timelines
Espionage
Family Secrets
Cryptography
Historical fiction
How was the pace?
For me this was a fast-paced story that I was completely drawn into from the very beginning. There was so much atmosphere to go along with the tension as I moved from the beginning of the division of Germany in the 60s and the KGB’s authority and paranoia. There were so many times I found myself holding my breath as each new secret was revealed. This is the kind of historical fiction I love and learn so much from.
Do you recommend this book?
Yes! This story has everything - spies, family drama, secrets, hope, resilience and more!!
Thank you, TLC and Harper Muse, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I loved the dual timelines in this story. Usually in a historical fiction book I tend to find myself engrossed in the one particular timeline and always wanting to get back to it. That was not the case in this book at all. I could not get enough of the tension, suspense, character growth, and of course the risks related to being a spy in Germany from post WWII to the late 1980s.
I also liked how Reay took a unique look at the Cold War and the erection of the Berlin Wall as the story was told through the alternating points of view from both father and daughter, as one struggles to live with the consequences of his allegiances while under a controlling and oppressive regime.
How was the audio version?
This is the perfect book to listen to! It was almost like a movie as I found myself walking, running, and holding my breath right along side the two lead characters. I also have to give the story credit for tacking on an extra few miles to my walks, because I just couldn't stop listening, since each chapter would leave you wanting more.
Read if you like:
Multiple POV
Dual Timelines
Espionage
Family Secrets
Cryptography
Historical fiction
How was the pace?
For me this was a fast-paced story that I was completely drawn into from the very beginning. There was so much atmosphere to go along with the tension as I moved from the beginning of the division of Germany in the 60s and the KGB’s authority and paranoia. There were so many times I found myself holding my breath as each new secret was revealed. This is the kind of historical fiction I love and learn so much from.
Do you recommend this book?
Yes! This story has everything - spies, family drama, secrets, hope, resilience and more!!
Thank you, TLC and Harper Muse, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 18, 2024
CIA cryptographer Luisa Voelker finds a familiar symbol in a batch of letters a colleague is decoding and realizes her father - who she has been told died in a car crash with her mother when she was a small child - is actually alive and imprisoned by the Stasi in East Germany. Luisa makes a plan to get across the wall and save her father.
A book set during the end of the Cold War involving secret codes + the Berlin Wall... sign me up! I was a kid in America in the 80s and remember being so freaked out by the idea of secret police and snitching and being trapped on one side of the wall and not being able to get across (I think this was fueled in part by some vaguely-remembered tv movies? with a romance element? or something? I don't know, exactly, but it gives me the shivers anyway.)
I loved all of the code aspects of this story and glimpses behind the wall (especially all of the punk kids - I had no idea!) and really enjoyed the dual perspectives of Luisa and her father, but it did lead to some repetition and sort of slowed down the action. I also didn't super love Luisa - she didn't seem super skilled at anything and had a lot of help/just got lucky, especially at the very end - that was a little too bananas. This book is getting rave reviews from many readers, so I'm definitely an outlier, but it was just ok for me and not the thrill-ride I was hoping for. That said - it was VERY well-researched, and I'm definitely interested in reading more of Reay's books!
* thank you to Harper Muse for the NetGalley review copy. THE BERLIN LETTERS publishes March 5, 2024.
A book set during the end of the Cold War involving secret codes + the Berlin Wall... sign me up! I was a kid in America in the 80s and remember being so freaked out by the idea of secret police and snitching and being trapped on one side of the wall and not being able to get across (I think this was fueled in part by some vaguely-remembered tv movies? with a romance element? or something? I don't know, exactly, but it gives me the shivers anyway.)
I loved all of the code aspects of this story and glimpses behind the wall (especially all of the punk kids - I had no idea!) and really enjoyed the dual perspectives of Luisa and her father, but it did lead to some repetition and sort of slowed down the action. I also didn't super love Luisa - she didn't seem super skilled at anything and had a lot of help/just got lucky, especially at the very end - that was a little too bananas. This book is getting rave reviews from many readers, so I'm definitely an outlier, but it was just ok for me and not the thrill-ride I was hoping for. That said - it was VERY well-researched, and I'm definitely interested in reading more of Reay's books!
* thank you to Harper Muse for the NetGalley review copy. THE BERLIN LETTERS publishes March 5, 2024.
March 27, 2024
The Berlin Letters is a deep deep book. If you like history and the post world war 2 era or even if you aren't too familiar this book will definitely put you in the know.
The Berlin Letters sometimes read like a history textbook, there was so much historical information that might either bore you or intrigue you depending on where you fall in this genre. This history is woven together by a fictional story about a family torn apart by the erection of the Berlin wall. A family separated a husband and wife in the east side and their infant with the grandparents on the west who eventually migrate to the USA.
The story is in part told through the titled letters from a daughter less father to his father in law. Decades of letters written in code because when Luisa the grown up daughter now working as a decoder for the CIA comes across these letters after her grandfather's death. She will soon discover the truth about the fate of her parents and the dire situation they faced and still are. Because the present year is 1989 and the Berlin Wall is still very much still dividing Germany.
This book is a little depressing, the strugle and pain these divided people were forced to endure after ww2 when the rest of the world were getting on with their lives is heartbreaking but that is history and we must never forget.
A stark and moving portrayal which was excellently narrated.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
The Berlin Letters sometimes read like a history textbook, there was so much historical information that might either bore you or intrigue you depending on where you fall in this genre. This history is woven together by a fictional story about a family torn apart by the erection of the Berlin wall. A family separated a husband and wife in the east side and their infant with the grandparents on the west who eventually migrate to the USA.
The story is in part told through the titled letters from a daughter less father to his father in law. Decades of letters written in code because when Luisa the grown up daughter now working as a decoder for the CIA comes across these letters after her grandfather's death. She will soon discover the truth about the fate of her parents and the dire situation they faced and still are. Because the present year is 1989 and the Berlin Wall is still very much still dividing Germany.
This book is a little depressing, the strugle and pain these divided people were forced to endure after ww2 when the rest of the world were getting on with their lives is heartbreaking but that is history and we must never forget.
A stark and moving portrayal which was excellently narrated.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for an advanced copy of this audiobook.
March 13, 2024
1961-1990 Berlin and Washington DC
Engaging approach to sharing the history of the Berlin Wall!
While born in East Berlin, Luisa Voekler is soon in West Berlin and later the United States. Growing up primarily in her grandparents' home, she knows the language, culture and food of East Germany. When she discovers details about her past, Luisa is faced with the decision to pursue her heart or follow the rules of her job in the CIA. As you can guess, her heart wins out. What an adventure!
The story unfolds through two points of view, one of which is Luisa's. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrators did a phenomenal job. And the cover...spectacular and right on the mark for this historical novel.
My gratitude to publisher Harper Muse for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Engaging approach to sharing the history of the Berlin Wall!
While born in East Berlin, Luisa Voekler is soon in West Berlin and later the United States. Growing up primarily in her grandparents' home, she knows the language, culture and food of East Germany. When she discovers details about her past, Luisa is faced with the decision to pursue her heart or follow the rules of her job in the CIA. As you can guess, her heart wins out. What an adventure!
The story unfolds through two points of view, one of which is Luisa's. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrators did a phenomenal job. And the cover...spectacular and right on the mark for this historical novel.
My gratitude to publisher Harper Muse for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
March 8, 2024
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” ~President Ronald Reagan
The Berlin Letters is page-turning historical fiction focused on one family’s trauma as they experience the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall.
In 1989, Louisa works for the CIA as a cryptographer (code breaker). In one secret cache of letters, Louisa spots a symbol she recognizes from her childhood. From additional letters and a few newspaper articles that her grandfather saved, she is suspicious that her father wrote the letters and that he might still be alive in an East German jail. In alternating chapters, we gain her father’s perspective and glimpses into the early days of the Berlin Wall and how the wall separated the family. After Louisa’s attempt to convince the CIA to intervene fails, she takes matters into her own hands and orchestrates a daring rescue.
I always love a complicated family drama! Some of my favorite histfic reads include a generous side of suspense and/or thriller. In the Berlin Letters, I especially admire how the author skillfully balances family themes, historical details, political intrigue, and suspense. One does not overshadow the others. The Berlin Letters is an example of perfectly balanced character-driven and plot-driven fiction, my favorite! Do you prefer character-driven or plot driven? Or do you enjoy a balance? Do you appreciate a story with a side of thriller/suspense and a daring rescue?
For those who need a break from WWII histfic, this story with its focus on the Berlin Wall (Cold War era) might interest you! For some of you, the Iron Curtain and the fall of the Berlin Wall is your lived history! I’ve seen a section of the Berlin Wall at the Reagan Presidential Library here in California. Do you remember the fall of the Berlin Wall?
I enjoyed both perspectives in this well-told and well-researched story. The father’s perspective provides rich historical details of the beginning of the Berlin Wall and his reflections on being caught on the East German side, gradually reevaluating his ideals, and losing his daughter to the West side through his wife’s impulsive, sacrificial action. The daughter’s perspective supplies the intrigue and suspense as she risks a daring rescue behind the Iron Curtain.
If you enjoy well-researched histfic, you will appreciate the vivid descriptions and historical details provided here about the beginnings of the Berlin Wall, life behind the Iron Curtain, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and a family caught in the political turmoil.
I highly recommend The Berlin Letters for fans of compelling historical fiction, for those interested in the Cold War era, for those who appreciate a complicated family drama, and for readers who enjoy a side of intrigue and suspense. As a bonus, there’s also a hint of romance!
Content Consideration: grief
Thanks @AustenProsePR #NetGalley @HarperMuseBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheBerlinLetters upon my request. All opinions are my own.
For more reviews visit my blog www.ReadingLadies.com where this review was first published.
The Berlin Letters is page-turning historical fiction focused on one family’s trauma as they experience the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall.
In 1989, Louisa works for the CIA as a cryptographer (code breaker). In one secret cache of letters, Louisa spots a symbol she recognizes from her childhood. From additional letters and a few newspaper articles that her grandfather saved, she is suspicious that her father wrote the letters and that he might still be alive in an East German jail. In alternating chapters, we gain her father’s perspective and glimpses into the early days of the Berlin Wall and how the wall separated the family. After Louisa’s attempt to convince the CIA to intervene fails, she takes matters into her own hands and orchestrates a daring rescue.
I always love a complicated family drama! Some of my favorite histfic reads include a generous side of suspense and/or thriller. In the Berlin Letters, I especially admire how the author skillfully balances family themes, historical details, political intrigue, and suspense. One does not overshadow the others. The Berlin Letters is an example of perfectly balanced character-driven and plot-driven fiction, my favorite! Do you prefer character-driven or plot driven? Or do you enjoy a balance? Do you appreciate a story with a side of thriller/suspense and a daring rescue?
For those who need a break from WWII histfic, this story with its focus on the Berlin Wall (Cold War era) might interest you! For some of you, the Iron Curtain and the fall of the Berlin Wall is your lived history! I’ve seen a section of the Berlin Wall at the Reagan Presidential Library here in California. Do you remember the fall of the Berlin Wall?
I enjoyed both perspectives in this well-told and well-researched story. The father’s perspective provides rich historical details of the beginning of the Berlin Wall and his reflections on being caught on the East German side, gradually reevaluating his ideals, and losing his daughter to the West side through his wife’s impulsive, sacrificial action. The daughter’s perspective supplies the intrigue and suspense as she risks a daring rescue behind the Iron Curtain.
If you enjoy well-researched histfic, you will appreciate the vivid descriptions and historical details provided here about the beginnings of the Berlin Wall, life behind the Iron Curtain, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and a family caught in the political turmoil.
I highly recommend The Berlin Letters for fans of compelling historical fiction, for those interested in the Cold War era, for those who appreciate a complicated family drama, and for readers who enjoy a side of intrigue and suspense. As a bonus, there’s also a hint of romance!
Content Consideration: grief
Thanks @AustenProsePR #NetGalley @HarperMuseBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheBerlinLetters upon my request. All opinions are my own.
For more reviews visit my blog www.ReadingLadies.com where this review was first published.
April 27, 2024
This book immediately caught my eye. The cover is spot on, the author is one of my favorites, and the topic is not one I am familiar with. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy, I am so glad that I did. I knew nothing about the Berlin Wall. What lead up to it, who put it up, and the big questions...why? I am going to age myself and say that I remember President Regan saying, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." After The Berlin Letter, I am a little bit clearer on the topic, as usual I am still craving more knowledge. This book is phenomenal. You can feel the history oozing out of the pages and through the cover. I fell in love with the characters and the way in which Katherine Reay develops them, made me tear through the pages. I love a book that circles around a family and their complex histories. This one blew me away.
Luisa Voekler has led an astonishing life already. Born in Berlin, German during a volatile time. Luisa and her mother, Monika visit her grandparents. Easily making their way between east and west Berlin. This all changes in a blink of an eye. Overnight a wall is erected and no one can pass. Keeping families, friends, businesses, everything separate. Monika has a gut feeling to throw young Luisa over the wall and into her father's waiting arms. He catches her and makes his way away from the police and from Monika's watchful eye. Did she make the right decision?
The book is told in a dual timeline when the wall is erected and until a few days before it comes down. Luisa is now a CIA Code Breaker. Thanks to her grandfather's entertaining codes that he sets up for Luisa on special occasions. He always kept her on her toes, thinking, learning, and looking for differences in the most minuscule ways. When one of her coworkers brings her a stack of letters to help her break the code. Luisa has a feeling that she has seen that infinity symbol before. Could these letters somehow be connected to her grandfather? As Luisa digs deeper into her grandfather's past. She is met with a realization that her life and what she was told was not what happened. She is left with more questions, than answers. She decides the only way to move forward, is to go back to where it all started...Berlin.
I was completely absorbed and enraptured by this story from the beginning. Code breaking, spies, the Berlin Wall, all of it. I have not read much about this time and I am now determined to find more books centering around this moment in history. Thank you to Katherine Reay and Harper Muse for this phenomenal read!
Luisa Voekler has led an astonishing life already. Born in Berlin, German during a volatile time. Luisa and her mother, Monika visit her grandparents. Easily making their way between east and west Berlin. This all changes in a blink of an eye. Overnight a wall is erected and no one can pass. Keeping families, friends, businesses, everything separate. Monika has a gut feeling to throw young Luisa over the wall and into her father's waiting arms. He catches her and makes his way away from the police and from Monika's watchful eye. Did she make the right decision?
The book is told in a dual timeline when the wall is erected and until a few days before it comes down. Luisa is now a CIA Code Breaker. Thanks to her grandfather's entertaining codes that he sets up for Luisa on special occasions. He always kept her on her toes, thinking, learning, and looking for differences in the most minuscule ways. When one of her coworkers brings her a stack of letters to help her break the code. Luisa has a feeling that she has seen that infinity symbol before. Could these letters somehow be connected to her grandfather? As Luisa digs deeper into her grandfather's past. She is met with a realization that her life and what she was told was not what happened. She is left with more questions, than answers. She decides the only way to move forward, is to go back to where it all started...Berlin.
I was completely absorbed and enraptured by this story from the beginning. Code breaking, spies, the Berlin Wall, all of it. I have not read much about this time and I am now determined to find more books centering around this moment in history. Thank you to Katherine Reay and Harper Muse for this phenomenal read!
April 19, 2024
I need to read more about this period in history. I remember seeing the Berlin Wall coming down on television, but I was only 9 and didn't understand the significance. I just knew that it was "important" and something I should remember. So when I saw this book, I knew I needed to read it.
This was an extremely well-researched story. Luisa Voekler believes her parents to be dead. She was raised by her grandparents, who had emigrated to the United States from Germany. She knew little of their lives before arriving in America. One day, she finds a cache of letters that her grandfather had hidden, and it completely changes the trajectory of her life.
What I liked about this story:
Dual timelines - this nearly always works for me. I enjoyed seeing Luisa's perspective the most, as she is figuring out and breaking the codes in the letters and unearthing her family history. But her father's perspective was also really interesting for the insight into what it was like to live behind the Berlin Wall.
The pacing of this book was perfect - I never got bored or felt like things were getting too bogged down.
The inclusion of the punk scene - I would have loved even more of that. Is there a whole book like that? If so I need it.
What I didn't like:
I didn't feel like I connected with any of the characters. I really wanted to like Luisa, but for whatever reason, I just couldn't quite get there. So there was no emotional connection in what should have been a very emotional story.
There were times, particularly in Haris's chapters, when it felt a bit info-dumpy. The author learned a lot of information and wanted to include it, and you could definitely see that she did a lot of research. But I felt that there were whole pages of just explaining rather than letting me experience it through the characters' eyes.
This was an extremely well-researched story. Luisa Voekler believes her parents to be dead. She was raised by her grandparents, who had emigrated to the United States from Germany. She knew little of their lives before arriving in America. One day, she finds a cache of letters that her grandfather had hidden, and it completely changes the trajectory of her life.
What I liked about this story:
Dual timelines - this nearly always works for me. I enjoyed seeing Luisa's perspective the most, as she is figuring out and breaking the codes in the letters and unearthing her family history. But her father's perspective was also really interesting for the insight into what it was like to live behind the Berlin Wall.
The pacing of this book was perfect - I never got bored or felt like things were getting too bogged down.
The inclusion of the punk scene - I would have loved even more of that. Is there a whole book like that? If so I need it.
What I didn't like:
I didn't feel like I connected with any of the characters. I really wanted to like Luisa, but for whatever reason, I just couldn't quite get there. So there was no emotional connection in what should have been a very emotional story.
There were times, particularly in Haris's chapters, when it felt a bit info-dumpy. The author learned a lot of information and wanted to include it, and you could definitely see that she did a lot of research. But I felt that there were whole pages of just explaining rather than letting me experience it through the characters' eyes.
March 5, 2024
Gritty, intense, and informative!
The Berlin Letters is an edgy, insightful tale set between 1961 and 1989 that takes you into the life of Luisa Voekler, a CIA cryptographer living in DC who, after finding a pile of encrypted letters after her grandfather passes away, learns there’s more to her family’s history in Berlin before and after the wall was erected than she ever could have imagined. And though she has always been told that her parents were killed in an accident when she was young, she suddenly uncovers that her father is actually still alive and being held in a Stasi prison.
The prose is rich and expressive. The characters are troubled, inquisitive, and brave. And the plot, told in a past/present, back-and-forth style, is a tightly crafted, intriguing tale of life, loss, secrets, sacrifice, war, loyalty, passion, heartbreak, corruption, treachery, familial drama, politics, and repression.
Overall, The Berlin Letters is a compelling, absorbing, perceptive tale by Reay that not only satisfied and entertained me but did a wonderful job of opening my eyes to a dark time in history I lived through as a child but barely understood.
Thank you to Uplit Reads for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Berlin Letters is an edgy, insightful tale set between 1961 and 1989 that takes you into the life of Luisa Voekler, a CIA cryptographer living in DC who, after finding a pile of encrypted letters after her grandfather passes away, learns there’s more to her family’s history in Berlin before and after the wall was erected than she ever could have imagined. And though she has always been told that her parents were killed in an accident when she was young, she suddenly uncovers that her father is actually still alive and being held in a Stasi prison.
The prose is rich and expressive. The characters are troubled, inquisitive, and brave. And the plot, told in a past/present, back-and-forth style, is a tightly crafted, intriguing tale of life, loss, secrets, sacrifice, war, loyalty, passion, heartbreak, corruption, treachery, familial drama, politics, and repression.
Overall, The Berlin Letters is a compelling, absorbing, perceptive tale by Reay that not only satisfied and entertained me but did a wonderful job of opening my eyes to a dark time in history I lived through as a child but barely understood.
Thank you to Uplit Reads for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2024
Surrounding the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, this story is told in dual-narrative form between a daughter with a rebellious streak and her father's and his buried secrets. A story of hope and resilience, The Berlin Letters, is a thrilling story full of intrigue, espionage, code-breaking, and at its core, loyalty and humanity. You will be pleasantly surprised with who and the lengths some people go to protect and help you, and protect and help themselves.
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