Confession with Blue Horses by Sophie Hardach

 

If, like me, you are a fan of the Deutschland 83-86-89 TV series, then this book is for you. Half set in East Berlin in 1987-9 and half in 2010, it follows the story of Ella and her search for the truth.

In 1987 Ella is living with her family in an apartment near the wall. Her parents are art historian academics, who are becoming more and more uncomfortable with and restricted by the state’s viewpoint over worthwhile art and the freedom of artistic expression, or lack thereof. Whereas Ella’s grandmother, who lives downstairs, and of whom Ella is very fond, is a card-carrying GDR supporter. To her grandmother’s dismay, Ella’s parents hatch a plan to escape to the west.

Flash-forward to Berlin in 2010 where we meet Aaron, an English PhD student interning at the Stasi archive. The shredded Stasi files are being painstakingly reconstructed, and victims of persecution are able to access their surveillance documents, discover traitorous friends and even read interrogation transcripts. This, Ella believes, is her chance to find the answers.

The story does not unfold in a chronological order. It begins with the escape plan, then goes back in time to reveal the backstory, whilst also jumping forward to 2010. Hardach has cleverly constructed the novel so certain information is withheld from the reader, to be revealed later. There are hints, oblique references and vague remembrances which tease and tantalise and keep you reading. We literally join Ella in her quest for answers, as we too want to know what happened.

It is fascinating to read of life in East Berlin from the perspective of a child. In many respects Ella is naïve and unquestioning and her observations about her life and conversations between family members have more meaning for the reader than for her. We are able to interpret the significance or implications of information she shares and build a clear picture of the situation.

The characters of the family members are well drawn, and their historical allegiances and belief systems add an extra layer to the political history. With our hindsight and modern-day perspective it is easy to side with the west and disparage the blinkered brainwashed supporters of the dictatorial east, however Hardach does a good job of providing their viewpoint and impassioned beliefs. It is especially interesting to read about the impact of the wall coming down on lives in East Berlin. Overnight their education system, access to goods, attitudes to materialism, priorities and purpose were forever altered.

Berlin in 2010 is almost unrecognisable. Ella has to replace and relearn her mental map of an area she once knew so well. She is now a tourist in the city and can even visit significant East German historical sites and meet ex-political prisoners as well as prison guards and Stasi officers. This opens up various investigative avenues for her to explore, but also poses the problem of who to trust. Ella has to consider how far she is willing to go, and the psychological damage she could do to herself and others.

Hardach grew up in West Germany, and was clearly affected and fascinated by the east-west divide. Despite her potential bias, she does an excellent job of presenting both sides, deftly portraying the personalities of the former Stasi characters, revealing their sinister, unashamed and believable attitudes. The psychological trauma various characters suffered is thoughtfully illustrated, but not overstated and although the novel is emotive and, at times, tense, it is not overly sentimental or dramatic.