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No Man's Land
It was a beautiful dream, as compelling and just as any in history - yet unattainable. Realizing it meant overcoming entrenched geopolitical divisions that had split a city and the world for nearly half a century. Then it happened, overnight and without warning. And nothing would ever be what it was before.
1989: Richard, an expatriate American, is working a profitable yet "pointless" job selling software for a small U.S. firm in West Berlin. Katarina Weber is a married mother whose hedonistic escapades help distract Richard from the emptiness of his existence. When Richard ventures beyond the No Man's Land into East Berlin to fulfill a personal obligation, he meets Traudi Franzke, a young nurse addicted to the communist ideals inherited at an early age from her father. The ensuing relationship, separated from reality by the notorious Berlin Wall, exposes beliefs long since betrayed but clung to, nevertheless. Throughout that momentous year, Richard straddles the two distinct worlds of East and West Berlin, moving between cynicism and hope, until events send them careening toward a collision, completing a journey from an age of ideologies to the "end of history."
A ribald romp through a pivotal time and place, an intimate portrait of a revolution, a searing indictment of the human condition, No Man’s Land reveals the farce and tragedy of Germany’s division and reunification through a lens not found in any history book. In brisk, vivid prose, Califra masterfully captures "Wendezeit" Berlin; the arrogant excesses and self-indulgence of the democratic West “flaunting” its wealth, and the dysfunction, frustration and repression in the totalitarian East as they existed side by side in one city on the cusp of dramatic change.
"A stimulating page-turner about a major turning point in history."
--Publishers Weekly
1989: Richard, an expatriate American, is working a profitable yet "pointless" job selling software for a small U.S. firm in West Berlin. Katarina Weber is a married mother whose hedonistic escapades help distract Richard from the emptiness of his existence. When Richard ventures beyond the No Man's Land into East Berlin to fulfill a personal obligation, he meets Traudi Franzke, a young nurse addicted to the communist ideals inherited at an early age from her father. The ensuing relationship, separated from reality by the notorious Berlin Wall, exposes beliefs long since betrayed but clung to, nevertheless. Throughout that momentous year, Richard straddles the two distinct worlds of East and West Berlin, moving between cynicism and hope, until events send them careening toward a collision, completing a journey from an age of ideologies to the "end of history."
A ribald romp through a pivotal time and place, an intimate portrait of a revolution, a searing indictment of the human condition, No Man’s Land reveals the farce and tragedy of Germany’s division and reunification through a lens not found in any history book. In brisk, vivid prose, Califra masterfully captures "Wendezeit" Berlin; the arrogant excesses and self-indulgence of the democratic West “flaunting” its wealth, and the dysfunction, frustration and repression in the totalitarian East as they existed side by side in one city on the cusp of dramatic change.
"A stimulating page-turner about a major turning point in history."
--Publishers Weekly
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2014
104 people are currently reading
145 people want to read
About the author
Michael Califra
4 books7 followersMichael Califra’s books are examinations of individuals resisting or succumbing to events in a world that is often absurd.
Califra lived and worked in Germany, mostly in Berlin, from 1986 to 1998 where he wrote the novel, "No Man's Land." When the Berlin Wall fell, and Germany and Berlin were reunified, it soon became clear that the city he knew would be quickly erased, just as the Berlin of the Kaiser had been overtaken by Weimar Berlin, which was then been wiped away by Hitler's capital, only to be replaced yet again by Cold War cities of East and West Berlin. Wanting to document the place he knew would soon dissolve into history was the motivation behind writing his novel.
The author has also executive produced feature films starring such Hollywood talent as Rosario Dawson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Paul Rudd and Winona Ryder.
Califra lived and worked in Germany, mostly in Berlin, from 1986 to 1998 where he wrote the novel, "No Man's Land." When the Berlin Wall fell, and Germany and Berlin were reunified, it soon became clear that the city he knew would be quickly erased, just as the Berlin of the Kaiser had been overtaken by Weimar Berlin, which was then been wiped away by Hitler's capital, only to be replaced yet again by Cold War cities of East and West Berlin. Wanting to document the place he knew would soon dissolve into history was the motivation behind writing his novel.
The author has also executive produced feature films starring such Hollywood talent as Rosario Dawson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Paul Rudd and Winona Ryder.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 14, 2020
A well told story of a bunch of unlikeable people who find each other, isn't that sweet? No, seriously, it is a well told story of the ever changing landscape known as Berlin in the late 1980s, and the people living in it. It's written in a rather, stream of conscious, fluid way, and because of this, I kept getting the feeling that the author might have added bit and pieces of his own life, as the details were so vivid and yet, lacked certain points that "truer" (for lack of a better word) fiction usually includes.
We are placed in the POV of Richard, an expat from New York who sells software. His job pretty much consists of making annoying phone calls, trying to get companies to buy his companies wares. This alone leaves much free time, and thus his story begins... While coming back from Münster, with a friend, he meets the lively Kati. It's while with Kati, back in Berlin, he meets the drunken Klaus who asks him for a favor of mailing his mother a letter, from East Berlin, as Klaus is barred from the communist state as he is a defector. Richard agreeing, goes to East Berlin and meets Kai, who invites him to a club. It's at the club, he meets Traudi. Now for me, this is where the story starts getting really interesting. It's with Traudi that we see Richard become slightly more human. He begins to show a compassion, and understanding, that he doesn't possess with his West Berlin friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately, secrets are revealed and Richard behaves badly, leaving no room for a happy future for the two.
I have to admit, I had a glimmer of hope for Richard but, he disappointed me. Yes, Traudi did something horrible, but instead of listening to her, trying to understand, the first thing out his mouth was ridicule and accusations. Instead of asking for forgiveness for his behavior, he fades from her.
The story is pretty much made up of one unlikeable character after another, however, it's proof that you don't need to like the characters if they are interesting. And Mr. Califra did a very good job of making his characters interesting. Out of all them, I think Knut Heino, the non-believing seminary student, was my favorite.
"I dream of a pool filled with vestal virgins frolicking with beach balls - stark naked."
"Tell her to give me a break. If she wants to save her soul, tell her to do it during regular business hours!"
Highly recommend.
August 18, 2024
No Man’s Land by Michael Califra
With an unquenchable thirst for books about the divided Berlin, I read this page-turner novel and found myself thinking of one word, irony. Like the author, I lived in Berlin during the Cold War. The wall itself and the extreme restrictions of venturing East are vivid in my mind. My curiosity about life in the East remains.
The story’s main character, Richard, is an American. While he has an easy, overpaid job, he is lost in terms of purpose and motivation. So are his expatriate buddies. They drink themselves into oblivion while chasing women in a similar state. Their lives feel meaningless. In the chapter entitled, “The Harsh Edge of Non-Existence,” Richard reflects on his life, “Back outside, I started wandering in one direction, then without knowing why, I turned around and went the other way. Suddenly, I realized I had nowhere to go. I was 31 years old…and had absolutely nothing worth doing.” (Pg. 32)
By accident, Richard meets a young East Berlin nurse, Traudi Franzke and a relationship ensues. Traudi is a proud communist. She staunchly upholds the East German way of life. She is happy there.
The author poignantly describes the state of East Berlin. “The sky darkened. The acid rain falling from the sky mixed with the dust on the street to form a bubbling ooze. Many buildings still bore the weathered, hand-painted signs of old Berlin over vacant store-front facades and cellar shops. All the evacuated remnant of an expropriated middle class slowly fading away unnoticed.” (Pg.156)
Yet, “…the general shortage of goods led to a sense of camaraderie. I was always impressed by the way people, who really had nothing to do with one another socially, would go out of their way to spread the news about when and where sought after goods were available.” (Pg. 196) “The lack of telephones led people to frequent and spontaneous visits to one another in a way that I’d find unthinkable in the West for fear of being considered a pain in the ass.” (Pg. 196)
Through the characters in his story, Califra brilliantly asks the existential question “What is the meaning or purpose of my life?” The real-life setting of West and East Berlin in 1989 is the perfect backdrop for confronting one’s existence.
With an unquenchable thirst for books about the divided Berlin, I read this page-turner novel and found myself thinking of one word, irony. Like the author, I lived in Berlin during the Cold War. The wall itself and the extreme restrictions of venturing East are vivid in my mind. My curiosity about life in the East remains.
The story’s main character, Richard, is an American. While he has an easy, overpaid job, he is lost in terms of purpose and motivation. So are his expatriate buddies. They drink themselves into oblivion while chasing women in a similar state. Their lives feel meaningless. In the chapter entitled, “The Harsh Edge of Non-Existence,” Richard reflects on his life, “Back outside, I started wandering in one direction, then without knowing why, I turned around and went the other way. Suddenly, I realized I had nowhere to go. I was 31 years old…and had absolutely nothing worth doing.” (Pg. 32)
By accident, Richard meets a young East Berlin nurse, Traudi Franzke and a relationship ensues. Traudi is a proud communist. She staunchly upholds the East German way of life. She is happy there.
The author poignantly describes the state of East Berlin. “The sky darkened. The acid rain falling from the sky mixed with the dust on the street to form a bubbling ooze. Many buildings still bore the weathered, hand-painted signs of old Berlin over vacant store-front facades and cellar shops. All the evacuated remnant of an expropriated middle class slowly fading away unnoticed.” (Pg.156)
Yet, “…the general shortage of goods led to a sense of camaraderie. I was always impressed by the way people, who really had nothing to do with one another socially, would go out of their way to spread the news about when and where sought after goods were available.” (Pg. 196) “The lack of telephones led people to frequent and spontaneous visits to one another in a way that I’d find unthinkable in the West for fear of being considered a pain in the ass.” (Pg. 196)
Through the characters in his story, Califra brilliantly asks the existential question “What is the meaning or purpose of my life?” The real-life setting of West and East Berlin in 1989 is the perfect backdrop for confronting one’s existence.
March 3, 2020
The last convulsions of the GDR through the eyes of a disaffected young New Yorker
A granular view of the evolution of Berlin immediately before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall and how it affects a small group of individuals on both sides. The narrator is a young New Yorker who's not invested in anything or anyone. There are one or two likable characters in the entire book, but we learn so little about them that the reader, like the writer, can't become invested in any of them.
It's written from the depressing point of view that all of us are being swept along by events beyond our control, and none of us have any power to affect change.
A granular view of the evolution of Berlin immediately before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall and how it affects a small group of individuals on both sides. The narrator is a young New Yorker who's not invested in anything or anyone. There are one or two likable characters in the entire book, but we learn so little about them that the reader, like the writer, can't become invested in any of them.
It's written from the depressing point of view that all of us are being swept along by events beyond our control, and none of us have any power to affect change.
August 1, 2025
EBK-M, Kindle, @ 2014, Read 7/31/2025. Fiction, Germany, The Berlin Wall.
I read this book because I wanted to know more about the Berlin Wall, and what it was like to be living in that divided city when all that history was taking place. Took me a long time to read because of some health issues, and I could only read or concentrate for short periods of time. Probably should have read something much lighter and more frivolous than this piece of work. The author really did live there during the time frame he wrote about.
I gave it 2☆'s = Okay. It was a heavy, depressing story at times, but I am happy I persevered, I didn't quit, and this book is now off my to-be-read pile!!!
I read this book because I wanted to know more about the Berlin Wall, and what it was like to be living in that divided city when all that history was taking place. Took me a long time to read because of some health issues, and I could only read or concentrate for short periods of time. Probably should have read something much lighter and more frivolous than this piece of work. The author really did live there during the time frame he wrote about.
I gave it 2☆'s = Okay. It was a heavy, depressing story at times, but I am happy I persevered, I didn't quit, and this book is now off my to-be-read pile!!!
May 28, 2020
What an incredible experience
I absolutely loved reading a personal account of East Germany vs West Berlin from an American who lived there before, during, and after the fall of the wall. I've read numerous books on the subject that cover what it was like to live in East Germany, but this is a first hand account from the west. It reads like a story within a journal. I found it very interesting and entertaining.
I absolutely loved reading a personal account of East Germany vs West Berlin from an American who lived there before, during, and after the fall of the wall. I've read numerous books on the subject that cover what it was like to live in East Germany, but this is a first hand account from the west. It reads like a story within a journal. I found it very interesting and entertaining.
December 3, 2023
Berlin-A Unique City
A real-world recollection of life in East and West Germany before, during, and after the Wall dividing East from West fell. The stories ring true to life as one who visited there too during these world-altering events. If you were ever interested in what it was like in Berlin, read this book. It will certainly open your mind.
A real-world recollection of life in East and West Germany before, during, and after the Wall dividing East from West fell. The stories ring true to life as one who visited there too during these world-altering events. If you were ever interested in what it was like in Berlin, read this book. It will certainly open your mind.
Read
January 31, 2019Having been to the DDR and the BRD before the wall came down and then again 10 years after "die Wende", I think the book is a pretty good depiction of life on both sides of the wall. Fun, yet serious look at human nature in a divided country and city. Very enjoyable read.
January 20, 2024
worth reading
Such good writing. I throughly enjoyed reading. It’s a shame so much of the book was about a sad subject. Very interesting reading about how things were or probably were. Made me think about things!
Such good writing. I throughly enjoyed reading. It’s a shame so much of the book was about a sad subject. Very interesting reading about how things were or probably were. Made me think about things!
September 26, 2021
amazing
I truly enjoyed the personal perspective this story offers of such a historic event. This gives a very clear view of how such change can be a blessing and a curse.
I truly enjoyed the personal perspective this story offers of such a historic event. This gives a very clear view of how such change can be a blessing and a curse.
August 19, 2022
While the book was clearly fiction, I was particularly taken by the level of depth and detail surrounding the Post GDR life up to and including reunification and after. We often read so much about all of the events of the Cold War, but we do not read very much about how the lives of the East Germans were impacted by everything leading up to reunification. Agreed, there has always been an underlying current that it was very difficult for the East Germans to adapt and that many preferred the life they had before the Wall fell, but based on other accounts I’ve read, this one seemed quite accurate and definitely provided a whole different perspective of life after the Wall fell which I think people, maybe even history itself, tends to overlook. Again, while this is fiction, I enjoyed the story and highly recommend.
July 27, 2014
I found. this book to be quite rewarding, although it may not be everyone's cup of tea. It's historical fiction, dealing with one man's experience with Berlin during turbulent times. Told in the first person, we learn that our protagonist is an American who goes to Berlin after his idea to market computer software to businesses and government entities in Germany is accepted by his employer. The reader learns of his interactions with coworkers and friends. The time is 1989, after Germany was essentially two countries and Berlin was two cities, following WWII. The Berlin Wall was up, and the Cold War was in full force. Our protagonist eventually meets a woman, and as their relationship develops we see up close and personal exactly how the lives of individuals were impacted by politics. The story ends after the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany. Like most of life, the story can be bittersweet. I'll look for this fledgling author's next book with baited breath. Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
July 16, 2016
I loved it--though I didn't love the characters
I am very glad I read the book, though I must say the characters did not appeal to me very much. The narrator seemed to be quite willing to condemn others for the same flaws of character which he himself had.
On the other hand, having lived through the Berlin Crisis made me enjoy seeing it from the inside, and from so many different perspectives. I was tempted to use Google maps to look up the scenes as they are today, and perhaps I will, as doing, so now won't interrupt the narrative.
I am very glad I read the book, though I must say the characters did not appeal to me very much. The narrator seemed to be quite willing to condemn others for the same flaws of character which he himself had.
On the other hand, having lived through the Berlin Crisis made me enjoy seeing it from the inside, and from so many different perspectives. I was tempted to use Google maps to look up the scenes as they are today, and perhaps I will, as doing, so now won't interrupt the narrative.
May 19, 2015
Incredibly interesting.
I could not stop reading this fascinating story . Sad, but realistic story . Could not help feel a profound sense of self discovery by the realistic characters and paths not taken.
I could not stop reading this fascinating story . Sad, but realistic story . Could not help feel a profound sense of self discovery by the realistic characters and paths not taken.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews