The book is based on three school notebooks filled with the author’s daily impressions as civil society collapsed around her.
The book has a turbulent publication history, reflecting Germany's evolving relationship with its wartime past. A Woman in Berlin
For decades, the author's identity was a closely guarded secret. The book is based on three school notebooks
She wished to remain anonymous to spare herself further indignity; upon reading her notes, her partner at the time reportedly wanted nothing more to do with her. ⚖️ Controversy and Reception upon reading her notes
After her death in 2001, she was identified as Marta Hillers , a well-traveled journalist who had studied at the Sorbonne and spoke some Russian.