Reviews tagging 'Violence'

A Woman in Berlin by Anonymous

10 reviews

theghostsofemma's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, War

maggieorourke's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual harassment, War

emeralddoha's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark informative reflective sad fast-paced

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Disrespectful to give it anything less than 5 stars. The insight into a civilian's psyche during the defeat of the Nazis right at the heart of the empire is incredibly valuable, especially when you look beyond the chronological events and look at the gender roles and societal structures present in Nazi Germany, and how those break down. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, War

cheeriodoggo's review against another edition

5.0

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Excellent. I can't say anything that no one else has said, however: I am a Holocaust researcher, and I do emphasize that it is important to read and understand as many varying experiences during the war as possible.

This book has always been among my recommendations when teaching Reich-era Germany, as much of what the author discusses and experiences impacted Germany society in the post-war era and we still feel parts of it to this day. One famous woman (who is not the author) who experienced April 1945 similar to Anonymous is the wife of former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Hannelore Kohl. Hannelore made headlines in Germany and abroad when she ended her life in 2001, partially in response to the trauma she experienced in April 1945.

It's graphic and not for the faint of heart, but its an excellent reminder that there were many different types/categories of victims born out of this war.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail

vampirefwoodstock's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Antisemitism, War

emmah99's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Violence, War

marionmrg's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional informative sad slow-paced

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C'est un récit fort en émotion. L'autrice documente sa vie lors des bombardements de Berlin, de l'arrivée des russes, les viols, la faim, les travaux des femmes dans Berlin. Si de prime abord le texte peut être froid, on s'interroge rapidement sur la neutralité de l'autrice. On peut y voir une partie de son travaille de journaliste : toujours rester neutre. Cependant je pense qu'il y a plus que ca. On y retrouve également un certain recul comme pour se protéger, ne pas écrire les sentiments pour ne pas les ressentir. C'est un document brut qui permet d'entrevoir la vie des berlinois sans avoir une vision soviétique ou russe. Je recommande à chacun de le lire pour comprendre un peu plus l'idée que dans une guerre les premiers à perdre ce sont les femmes. 

On vit l'Histoire en directe des choses que plus tard on racontera et on chantera. Mais, quand on est dedans, tout n'est que fardeau et angoisse. L'Histoire est lourde à porter. 

Je résiste, tente de maintenir une flamme en moi. Pourquoi ? À quoi bon ? Quel est le but de mon existence ? Je me sens désespérément seule, avec mon fardeau. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Sexual harassment, War

weekatsie's review against another edition

3.5

dark informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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Started out a little slow and impersonal, but the second half was much more engaging. It's certainly a very important book, in terms of historical significance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Rape, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Antisemitism

Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide

pi_a_la_mode's review against another edition

4.5

dark informative reflective slow-paced

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These diary entries present an eye-opening account of the occupation of Berlin in the weeks following the end of WWII.  The author’s first-hand perspective brings these well-document historical events closer to home for the reader, so incomprehensible to our modern sensibilities.  Events (even the most tragic and atrocious) are mostly described with an observational detachedness, reporting on the goings-on with a sense of duty to record what has been happening so that it will not be lost to memory.  However, there are also poetic lines of prose peppered throughout the pages, insightful reflections straight from the author’s very soul.  

A peek at my stats will show that I’m by no means a reader of non-fiction, but this diary compels its reader on like a historical novel.  We’re faced with the bitter reality of humanity’s depravity, but also blessed with a story of fortitude and survival.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality

Minor: Child death, Antisemitism, Abortion

ivassavi's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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(2021 Book#29)
4.25-4.5⭐️

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexual harassment