The Wall

by John Marks

A former bureau chief for U.S. News & World Report in Berlin presents a thriller about an American spy who defects to the East hours before the fall of the Berlin Wall, jeopardizing the lives of those around him. A first novel. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Shauna Ubersox · Rating 5 out of 5]

i found this book at a garage sale in my teens and regularly reread it, more than 15 years later - for me, it holds up over time, as not many things do. the events surrounding the fall of the berlin wall were incredibly turbulent and shifting, as soviet states reorganized, splintered and rebelled. marks tells an intricate story, balanced on these landmark events, with great humanity and empathy for the choices people in immensely difficult positions must make. yes, some parts of it may be trite and overwrought/overwritten. but honestly, as someone who regularly avoids spy novels and thrillers: this novel has served me well as an avid re-reader over many years, and it is one i adore.

[Anna Bornino-glusac]

The Wall gives a taste of life during the period of time when the wall between eastern and western Europe. This book has a very complicated story with many characters. It is not a book for casual readers, rather for history buffs who enjoy involved stories.

[Peter Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Began well but tapered off into a spy romp. Not bad but I decided to stop half way through as I lost interest in the characters.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off well as historical fiction novel set in West Berlin around the fall of the Berlin Wall, but really came off the rails when it descended into an outlandish spy romp across the revolutions of eastern Europe.

[nathan halsan]

Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Cluj, Bucharest.

[Allie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be an actual historical fiction book, not a horrible spy novel. Couldn't get past the second chapter.

[Nova · Rating 2 out of 5]

mmmm I think I'll side with the readers who gave it a one or two star rating; a bit disappointed in this book.

[Lynette Barfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

Stupid book!

[Erich Fassnacht]

So far okay. Not grabbing me like I hopped it would given the dynamic setting.