The Banned Books of Berlin by Daisy Wood Review (Gifted/AD)

Hello Readers,

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me access to an eBook copy of The Banned Books of Berlin by Daisy Wood in exchange for an honest review.  Since today is the official publication day, this review will be spoiler-free.

Please note that I don’t own the rights to the cover image the image is being used under Fair Use for review and recommendation purposes, in accordance with sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act.
 
Happy Publication Day
 
Title: The Banned Books of Berlin
Author: Daisy Wood
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Cover Image:

Synopsis: Berlin, 1933. The night skies are burning bright with huge bonfires of banned books. The Nazi party is swelling in number, Berlin is no longer a safe place for young Freya.

She can only watch on, horrified, as her beloved city falls to fascism – and the usually law-abiding Freya is forced to make a choice: continue being a bystander, or sacrifice herself to save the lives of others…

New York, present day. Maddie commutes home to her family to reset. Struggling to fully turn off from her work, she’s is shocked to come across a pre-war German diary amongst her Grandpa’s things. And when she starts to dig into the diary, Maddie’s shocked by what she finds.

And so begins a journey that will take Maddie beyond America as she searches for the truth about Freya, and how she changed people’s lives across the globe…

Miniature Review

The Banned Books of Berlin is a captivating dual-timeline novel that masterfully intertwines past and present. In 1930s Berlin, Freya struggles to survive amidst the rise of Hitler and the growing threat of censorship. Fast forward to 2024, where Maddie, Freya’s great-granddaughter, returns to Los Angeles after a traumatic incident at work. While helping her grandfather sort through old belongings, Maddie uncovers her grandmother’s diary, which sets her on a journey to uncover their shared family history.

The novel beautifully blends historical fiction with contemporary issues, focusing on the power of books and the dangers of censorship, a theme that remains relevant today. The connection between Freya’s and Maddie’s timelines is seamless, with both stories equally gripping. The rich historical detail brings Berlin in the 1930s to life, while Maddie’s emotional journey in the present-day adds depth.

The characters are wonderfully developed, and I quickly became invested in their lives. The pacing flows effortlessly, with each shift between timelines adding new layers to the narrative. Themes of love, friendship, and family are at the heart of the story, making it both poignant and thought-provoking. Daisy's writing is engaging and evocative, creating a novel that is fictional yet entirely believable. 

This book serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving history and the stories that shape us.

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