This sweeping love story follows a young couple whose lives are irrevocably changed when they’re separated overnight by the construction of the Berlin Wall.
Berlin 1961: When Uli Neumann proposes to Lise Bauer, she has every reason to accept. He offers her love, respect, and a life beyond the strict bounds of the East German society in which she was raised — which she longs to leave more than anything. But only two short days after their engagement, Lise and Uli are torn violently apart when barbed wire is rolled across Berlin, splitting the city into two hostile halves: capitalist West Berlin, an island of western influence isolated far beyond the iron curtain; and the socialist East, a country determined to control its citizens by any means necessary.
Soon, Uli and his friends in West Berlin hatch a plan to get Lise and her unborn child out of East Germany, but as distance and suspicion bleed into their lives and as weeks turn to months, how long can true love survive in the divided city?
Dear Ms. Turnbull,
Recently I read “The Berlin Letters,” another book in which the Berlin Wall features heavily. I discussed how I doubted I’d see it come down in my lifetime but how wonderful it was to watch the happy people of the now undivided city celebrate. When I saw this book I realized that apparently I want to read more books with this subject.
In 1961 Germany, citizens of East and West Berlin could still fairly freely travel back and forth across the border that separates the city. A group of friends who met at the Free University of Berlin enjoy their college days together including Uri (West) and Lise (East). These two are in love, planning a life together, and have no issues with anticipating the wedding.
Their future comes crashing down when overnight thick strands of barbed wire begin what will become the Wall. Separated and desperate, Uri and his friends begin digging a tunnel. Inge can cross over to the East because of her Swedish passport and the news she brings back spurs Uri to work harder. Lise is pregnant and they’re working with a deadline. Will the tunnel be finished – and in the correct location – in time to spirit her and her unborn child to freedom?
Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting where this story would go and will try and keep my review from revealing spoilers. I probably won’t be successful but I’ll try.
The book puts us in this world where the Communist East is trying to clamp down on its citizens and keep them from the decadent West. Only some people would rather map out their lives the way they want them rather than just accepting what they’re told to do, working where and at what they’re told to do. But I appreciated the inclusion of some people who sincerely believe in the world that East Germany was crafting. Certain characters are given valid reasons, which is delicately hinted at, for toeing the party line that date back to May 1945. Other characters have accepted that this will be their life and make the best of it.
The young college students won’t just go along with being cut off from friends and family. Lise isn’t the only person they’re trying to get out. However with her actions and a petition to cross to West Berlin, Lise has drawn attention to herself (the Stasi and informers are watching everyone) and must face how this could affect her father – who is dependent on medical care – and her brother who is a police officer. Delays push the completion date of the tunnel back and Lise worries about crawling through it while seven and then eight months pregnant.
Things happen, as things will, and the group is left to sort the pieces as best they can. Tough life decisions are made as everyone faces their new realities and realizes that life goes on. I’m generally okay with how all of this plays out. I think things are handled well and realistically. Some characters hold onto understandable feelings for years while others have to finally face that what they did, although done with the best of intentions, was wrong. I kept reading, wondering how everything would end up and let me say that I enjoy books that can keep me guessing. B
~Jayne
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Jayne
Another long time reader who read romance novels in her teens, then took a long break before started back again about 25 years ago. She enjoys historical romance/fiction best, likes contemporaries, action- adventure and mysteries, will read suspense if there’s no TSTL characters and is currently reading more fantasy and SciFi.
