The Berlin Crossing

by Kevin Brophy

Secrets and spies, love and tragedy in Stasi East Germany. Brandenburg 1993: The Berlin Wall is down, the country is reunified and thirty-year-old school teacher Michael Ritter feels his life is falling apart. His wife has thrown him out, his new West German headmaster has fired him for being a socialist, former Party member and he is still clinging on to the wreckage of the state that shaped him. Disenfranchised and disenchanted, Michael heads home to care for his terminally ill mother. Before she dies, she urges him to seek out an evangelical priest, Pastor Bruck, who is the only one who knows the truth about his father. When Michael eventually tracks him down, he is taken on a journey of dark discoveries, one which will shatter his foundations, but ultimately bring him hope to rebuild them.

Genres: Fiction, Espionage, Historical Fiction, War, Spy Thriller, Germany, Thriller

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Kevin T. Brophy, Irish author.

No website (yet).

Kevin Brophy grew up in a military barracks on Ireland's west coast and now lives in Galway. He has written various non-fiction titles previously and his chequered career includes stints as a postman and teacher, barman and businessman. He has lived in Ireland, England and Poland but feels most at home in Germany.

See also: Kevin Brophy, Australian poet.

Reviews

[Jaidee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 "far surpassed my expectations" stars !!!

2022 Honorable Mention Read

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Lume books. The original release was in 2012 and re-released by this publishing house in March 2020.

What I had hoped for ..... a quietly thrilling espionage narrative behind the German Iron Curtain with some hopes for some insights into the daily living of East Germans

What I got.... a beautifully intricate and subtle story of young man's search for his father's story after the loss of his job, the death of his intensely private mother and the loss of meaning after West Germany begins to rebuild the East after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

This is a historical love story of very high quality. I was so moved throughout this story that my tears fell hotly and fiercely as I read how this young man was created by the most selfless of loves and sacrifice between an Irish German man thrown into spy work and an aspiring female violinist who raised him with care and love as a remembrance of her knight whom she could only love for a few stolen days.

One of the most exquisitely beautifully told love stories that I have had the privilege to read.

I hope my little review compels some of you to consider this most beautifully observant and emotionally moving reads that has not gotten the recognition that it deserves.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right before her death Michael Ritter's mother tells him how he can find out more about his father. Michael lives in the east of Germany, the former GDR and he was a party member when it was a socialist republic.
He starts his journey and learns what an extraordinary love story his parents had.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Ritter is mourning the loss of his country. It is three years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, and life in the former East Germany is changing at a rapid rate. As a loyal Party member under the previous regime, he is viewed with suspicion and distrust by the new Western incomers with their capitalist system, and the dislike is mutual. He finds himself removed from the job he loves, as an English teacher in Brandenburg; suddenly his previous achievements mean nothing and he finds himself surplus to requirements. Then, when attending to his dying mother, she utters about how he should speak to a man, Pastor Bruck, to find out about the father he’s never known, he finds himself feeling lost, as though he doesn’t belong anywhere anymore. As he delves deeper into the past, looking to find the man and the history that lies behind his mother's final few words, the narrative takes us back to 1962, to London and the divided Berlin then, and to a dangerous mission undertaken by a young Irishman. We learn about Michael's mother Petra in her younger years, and the risks she and Pastor Bruck took during those dangerous times, when anyone could be spying on your every move, day or night. Michael has to deal with what he has discovered, to heal personal wounds as his once divided country also begins to heal, and he must face up to how this all affects his life now.

I love, and am intrigued by, novels dealing with this setting and time period. This was a really good read, and the author has evidently done his research in writing about these remarkable times. As detailed at the end of the book, he spent time speaking to many citizens of the former GDR, hearing their personal stories. The two elements of the story woven together here, from 1962 and 1993, are both fascinating, though I was drawn more deeply into the events set in the past. I would definitely read more by this author in the future.

[zespri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read, good to have a different perspective of the Wall.

Michael Ritter is a school teacher in East Berlin, but the wall has come down and all he lived and believed in has come to nothing. The 'Wessies' have moved in, taken over, and he finds himself no longer needed. Being a former Party member he is branded a sociaist and the old is removed for the new.

With no job, and with a secret his dying mother has given him to search out, Michael goes in search of his mother's hidden past, and he uncovers a story that sets him on the path of re-examining all he has known as truth and the state that has shaped him.

[R.A. Forde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived in West Berlin for 10 years, five years before the Wall was opened and five years after, which is one of the reasons I was attracted to this book. It tells the story of Berliner Roland Ritter, a man in his thirties who has grown up in East Germany and was a devotee of the old regime. He has no idea who his father was, having been brought up by a single mother. It is now the early nineties, and he has not welcomed the opening of the borders, and the reunification of the two Germanies. When his mother dies, urging him to go and see a clergyman in a small village outside Berlin to find out about his father, he has misgivings but does as she asks. There, he finds out rather more than he bargained for. Before the end of the story, he has unearthed an old spy mystery, identified his father, found a new family, and started to come to terms with the political earthquake which has upset his life.

This is a beautifully written story, which recalls John Le Carré at his best. The characters are drawn in detail, and it conveys a great sense of place and time. It is not simply a thriller, although there is an element of that in it. However, it is very much character driven, not plot driven. The characters are believable and complicated, like real people. Like real people, their decisions are not always wise, but they are mostly understandable. They are also engaging, and one desperately hopes for a happy ending, all the time realising that it may not happen.

This is the first book by Kevin Brophy that I have read, though I will certainly be looking out for others now. Strongly recommended.

[Michael Bully · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel I so wanted to like as fascinated by the DDR. The story is written from different points of view, and partly set in the DDR, Ireland and Britain in 1962 and also in the former DDR in 1993. The British secret service are portrayed in quite a cynical and brutal fashion, whilst the Stasi operating in the DDR are vicious bordering on the sadistic . One of the main characters growing up in the DDR sees some virtue in Communism and does not embrace unification but of course is forced to face facts.
The author writes a good story which is captivating and moving but improbable. And he tries too hard to give the book the ring of authenticity. Felt that the portrayal of the social conditions, the morals , in early 1960's Britain and the DDR unconvincing. The British Secret Service seem to want to recruit untested amateurs for vital missions. Moreover, felt that the account of the Berlin Wall failed escape just didn't ring true. Just couldn't see how anyone who knew so little about East Berlin would got as as far as they did. It's a shame because the book has great ideas and well drawn characters.

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Berlin Crossing is a glimpse into the life of a man born during the Cold War. Set in the early 1990s, Michael has accepted his new fate of being from the "wrong side of the wall" as Berlin works to reunify itself. Throughout his life, Michael has always known that there are some things about his life that have just always been, like living in the GDR or growing up fatherless. However, on her deathbed, Michael's mother starts telling him things that create questions that he never realized were always buried inside of him. As he tries to solve the puzzle of clues his mother gives him, Michael finds answers, ends up with more questions, and ultimately figures out who he is as a German citizen in this new time of open and reunified Berlin.
Brophy has created a wonderfully written story exposing a time in history that is still not talked about much in literature. You can feel the anxiety and emotion coming from his characters as you read each chapter. I found myself having difficulty walking away from the book as I became wrapped up in the story from the very beginning and couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.

[Elize Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Berlin Crossing by Kevin Brophy offers an exceptional historical-fiction reading material. The integrated story aligned with the social-political environment after the fall of the Berlin Wall offers an interesting but also emotionally insightful story. The storyline provides an in-depth understanding of the close to home struggles individuals experienced during the time. The book allows for an integrated analysis of the typical secrets developed during a challenging time, and also the mistrust because of the political agendas followed before the destruction of the Berlin Wall. I recommend this book to any person who comprises an interest in historical fiction but also wants to learn from the past. The book offers a well-defined writing style and makes it easy for the reader to understand the different plots. It also explains the background of East Germany well and the events surrounding the complexity of people's behaviour towards each other. I suggest this book as a must-read to history lovers.

[Deutschland91 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Książkę wypatrzyłam w empiku w zachęcającej cenie i bez wahania ją zakupiłam. Poruszająca historia mężczyzny, który poszukuje własnych korzeni i poznaje prawdę o ojcu,którego nie było mu dane poznać.

Jest to również powieść z interesującym tłem historycznym. Miasto rozdzielone murem, istniejące podziały i układy. Ale pojawia się też nadzieja o zmianę losu.

Nie wiem czy autor napisał jeszcze jakieś książki,które nie doczekały się wydania w Polsce, ale jedno jest pewne, że będę obserwowała czy nie pojawiła się kolejna książka jego autorstwa. Bardzo się cieszę, że trafiła mi się taka perełka. Jest to piękna opowieść o podróży jaką musi przebyć Michael Ritter, aby uporządkować swoje życie.

[Kathryn Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I particularly liked the intermingling points of views and experiences of one growing up under the GDR and then after its fall and that of those who had lived before this time, through it and then afterwards. It really gave a sense of conflict, but of understanding and how shifts of time and experiences effects oneself and relationships around you.

I found way the love story around Petra and Roland was written rather unconvincing and not really brought out enought but its placement in the wider storylines was good.

[Bill McFadyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book different and interesting. Many stories based in and around Berlin focus on the view from those living in the west - this catches a glimpse of what many of the citizens of the GDR felt when the Wall came down and the Wessies went east to rebuild a united Germany - some of the individuals involved are cruel and despicable - however you can see how the abused become the abusers , still happening today.
A well written book set in a difficult time.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The death of his mother and fall of the Berlin Wall have a significant impact on the life of main character . His life having been turned upside down he somewhat reluctantly begins a search that was prompted by his mothers dying words. He uncovers a past that he could never have guessed at.
A well written and intriguing story that spans the beginning and ending of the Berlin Wall.

[Rachael Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is ok. The writing is ok. The story is a bit predictable. All in all, ok.

[Robin Doran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent novel

Well written, complex character s, historical relevance, compelling,. Would definitely. Recommend this book. Will look out other books by author

[Marg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the Berlin details and the premise of a protagonist who lost his country when the wall came down. A speedy and engrossing read.

[Yassemin · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF, not for me

[Bonnye Reed]

MyNextRead

[Gail Shuster-Bouskila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of East Berliners before and after the fall of the Berlin wall.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent historical novel, set prior to the ‘collapse’ of the Berlin Wall... and after. Well written and highly recommended.

[Gerald Sinstadt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Berlin Crossing Starts in 1993 in what was (before German re-unification) the Stasi-dominated GDR. It then moves back to London and East Germany in the early 1960's before completing its tale of a search for truth in Galway and Brandburg in the 1990's. To disclose more about the subject of the search might serve to spoil an interesting book for a new reader. Suffice to say a certain amount of concentration is required to maintain a grip on time, place and characters but an intelligent author is entitled to excpect intelligence from his readers.

Kevin Brophy undeniably writes well and he deserves admiration for taking the East German viewpoint to give an original perspective to the genre. The romantic strand which is integral to the plot unfortunately has a mawkish feel to it, robbing the book of its fifth star. Otherwise, a well-researched story has an authentic feel and enough suspense to ensure the pages are turned from the need to know what next.

[Elizabeth Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Ritter, a staunch young up and coming party member of the GDR before the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, finds that his life is falling apart as the "wessies" have little time for those who actively supported the party. When his terminal ill mother urges him to contact a certain priest to find out about his father, he is led on a journey which ultimately enables him to understand his past and pick up the pieces of his life and start afresh.

An enjoyable read, set in East Germany and the UK ( Galway, Ireland and London). It moves backwards and forwards from 1993 and 1962/63. The author researched life in the former GDR and I found the description of life in the early sixties in the GDR fascinating and very interesting. Although it is a fictional account of life behind the Wall, it has whetted my appetite to learn more about that time in history. This book is different to the normal run of the mill espionage novels.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read a GDR spy story for a long time. Until I read Kevin Brophy's Berlin Crossing, I had not realiszed how much I miss them.

I enjoyed this book very much and did not want to put it down. I think that the characters are convincing and the twists and turns in the plot succeed in keeping the reader interested. It is not the stuff of cliff-hangers - rather a book full of the strange atmosphere and events that was East Germany before the fall of the Berlin wall. I was there with the characters and I love the way that Brophy describes the relationship between Roland and Petra.

Definitely recommended.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really surprised by Kevin Brophy's The Berlin Crossing because normally the white-middle-class-mid-life-crisis genre really has no appeal for me. However I was completely fascinated by his depiction of a world so estranged from my own. 1960s Stasi East Germany is a time and place I had zero knowledge of prior to reading this, and although a fictionalisation, Brophy's novel gives a clear picture of the rigidities and strictures dictating every aspect of East German life. His characters, who span several time periods, are intriguing, complex and above all lovable, making The Berlin Crossing a story that can and does warm but ultimately break your heart.

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Michael Ritter, a professor of English in East Berlin. It is a few years after the wall fell and Michael cannot understand why East Germans are leaving his beloved state and making the most of new freedoms and moving to the West. Two events set him on a quest: as an ex-party member he loses his job and on his mother's death bed, she urges him to seek out Pastor Bruck. All Stasi files are now available to the public and Michael's research is told in story form and set in the '60s. Very well-written this story is also about coming to terms with the past and forgiveness. Brilliant!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I love the WW2 and Cold War fiction anyway. I loved this story especially the Irish connection. I know other reviewers have commented that the plot felt a bit contrived at times especially the love story which is true. However I was gripped from beginning to end which is always good and I look forward to more from this author.

[Julie Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - at first I was captivated by the interesting perspective of someone who had been a loyal East German struggling within reunified Germany in the 90s. It then became more of a traditional cold war tale outlining the horrors of the Stasi in the East, but was still a great story of redemption, sacrifice and love.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

First third of the book was interesting, the author's personal experience of life in East Germany post 1989 really comes through in the character of Michael Ritter. The rest of the book veers off into a rather generic love story / thriller that you might find on afternoon tv. That said I would still read his next novel based ob the early part of the book.

[Laura Alderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book promised to be more than it was. I was expecting a cold war thriller with some interesting insights into life for East Germans before and after the wall. Instead we got a predictable tale of a man who is told, on his mother death bed, to find a pastor in order to find out the truth about his father. The truth is more or less told before the second half of the book even starts.

[Regina Dooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable read which begins in post Berlin Wall removal. It's a love story hidden in a thriller. Admirers of Stasiland will appreciate the story of a young Irish man out of his depth in claustrophobic east Germany in the 1950s. The characters are well drawn and the reader has an emotional connection to them. Well worth a read.

[Ig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring