nobody has the intention of building a wall
Fiction and non-fiction books that are about the DDR (-> German Democratic Republic). They’re about the before, during and after, about fleeing and staying, about the differences that were (and still are) between East and West Germany.
The title refers to a famous quote by Walter Ulbricht with which he declared during a press conference that nobody intends to build a wall between East and West Germany. Weeks later the building of the wall began.
Books translated into English in pinned comment
created by ribbits
last updated August, 2026
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Titles translated into English:
- The Granddaughter by Bernhard Schlink, translated by Charlotte Collins (original title: Die Enkelin)
- Beyond the blue border by Dorit Linke, translated by Elisabeth Lauffer (original title: Jenseits der blauen Grenze)
- Divided Heaven by Christa Wolf (I couldn't find the translator) or They divided the Sky by Christa Wolf, translated by Luise von Flotow (original title: Der geteilte Himmel)
I am reading 'Drei Ostdeutsche Frauen betrinken sich und gründen den idealen Staat' - it's a written dialog between 3 woman that get drunk for 7 days during summer (not in a row though:D) They were brought up in different cities throughout east Germany in den 70s/80s and reflect on the system, it's pro and cons, the feminist approach also compared to West germany and personal stories. I really enjoy it because these three women experienced different nuances of that life!
ribbitsOP
I added it! Thanks for the recommendation :D
You are very welcome! So cool that you have started this list 🤗
ribbitsOP
As someone with family from East Germany but not being East German myself, I've wanted to look more into literature about the DDR (for a long time) and finally got around to it. While at it, I made the list, hoping that others could make use of it ^^ I'm happy that others enjoy this list :)
Hi, that's a great list! Maybe you might be interested also in adding these books: They are a series of interviews by eastern German women conducted with parents and children, as well as grandparents and grandchildren about living in the DDR and the fall of the wall. "Die anderen Leben" by Sabine Michel and Dörte Grimm (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54981047-die-anderen-leben) and "Es ist einmal" (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209829705-es-ist-einmal).
That list looks great :) What do you think about adding Die Enkelin by Bernhard Schlink? I'm just not sure if it is available in English, in case that's a must have
ribbitsOP
I added it! English is not a must have. I'm assuming only a minority of the books on this list have been translated into English 😅
