logo

43 pages 1 hour read

A Woman in Berlin

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1953

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Anonymous

A Woman in Berlin

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1953
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Berlin, Germany • 1940s

Publication Year

1953

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

A Woman in Berlin documents journalist Marta Hillers' experiences as the Russian Army invades Berlin at the end of World War II. The memoir recounts her efforts to survive amid scarcity, violence, and societal collapse. Marta forms arrangements with Russian officers for protection and food, navigates friendships, and resumes work as a translator and washerwoman, all while struggling with persistent hunger and trauma. The book contains explicit depictions of rape and sexual violence.

Mysterious

Dark

Unnerving

Melancholic

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.5

17,611 ratings

85%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

A Woman in Berlin offers a harrowing, firsthand account of survival during the final days of WWII. Praised for its raw honesty and vivid detail, the memoir provides a powerful female perspective on wartime atrocities. However, some critics argue it can be emotionally overwhelming and may lack nuanced historical context. Overall, it's a compelling but intense read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Woman in Berlin?

Readers who appreciate The Diary of Anne Frank or The Berlin Diaries will find A Woman in Berlin compelling. Ideal for those interested in firsthand accounts of World War II, women's experiences during war, and historical memoirs. The book offers a poignant, raw perspective that history enthusiasts and memoir lovers will value.

4.5

17,611 ratings

85%

Loved it

11%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Berlin, Germany • 1940s

Publication Year

1953

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.