A Woman in Berlin

The diaries are written by an unnamed woman who lived in Berlin in 1945. When they were first published, the name of the writer was withheld from the public, and the diarist remained anonymous until 2003. After the death of the author, the eponymous woman was revealed to be Marta Hillers. This guide uses Marta’s actual name, but it must be noted that her name is not actually revealed at any point in the memoir.

Marta draws the audience into an unimaginable world, portraying the true horrors of what happened to the women of Berlin in 1945. Marta observes the world around her, documenting her findings in her diary, and because she speaks both Russian and German, she occupies a unique position in her community. Marta sees and comprehends both sides of the conflict, so while most German women view the Russians as inhuman and beastly, Marta cannot think this way. As she gets to know the Major and Andrei, she comes to empathize with them and appreciate them as people, even amidst the mass violence which is taking place.

Marta’s studied cynicism gives the book its distinctive