This book has always caught my eye, not just for its provocative cover, but also for its tough title and promise of an investigation of the Stasi and the plight of Eastern Germany during the Cold War. It doesn't disappoint; Funder writes in a tight, terse style and explores her own darker thoughts as she haunts the featureless buildings and lonely byways of the former GDR, meeting and talking with participants in the 40-odd years of the "republic".The book is driven by their stories, and linked rather beautifully by the sinews of Funder's tentative friendship with Miriam, who suffered horribly at the hands of the Stasi, the GDR's secret police. The relationship between writer and subjects is actually blurred at times, things are left out, withheld, but this fascinated me and left me wanting more by book's end.
Stasiland would be a wonderful first step in anyone's reading about this period, even those who haven't read a lot of non-fiction. It reminded me of why popular non-fiction matters: it is written to explore and reveal and celebrate nothing less than the whole world!
The wrap-up:
Australian themes - None except the universal "stranger in a strange land".
Australian characters - Anna Funder only discusses her nationality briefly.
Australian settings - Much like the character in Geraldine Brooks (and maybe Brooks herself), there is a strong sense of home.
Australian voices - All other voices are "East" or "West" German.
Australian focus - Try the many other books in this style that are related to Australia.
