Oliver Fritz, The Iron Curtain Kid Review

“The Iron Curtain Kid by Oliver Fritz is a fascinating...”

Written on: 20/05/2009 by June Robinson (1 review written)

The Iron Curtain Kid by Oliver Fritz is a fascinating account of growing up in East Berlin. Oliver Fritz's eye for detail makes you feel as if you are right there with him. The memoir is bookended with two historic events -- the night the wall went up, as seen through the eyes of Oliver's parents, and the night the wall came down, as seen by Oliver (in the midst of an outing to a disco!) His account is quite gripping. Inbetween is the story of his everyday life in the DDR, a life which seemed a bit humdrum to him at the time but looking back he was experiencing something quite unique. His story is by turns humorous, mundane and outlandish and, as his yearning to see the west grows, touching. As the eighties progress his year by year approach gathers pace and you wait with baited breath for the pay-off. Five Stasis!