Anne Wiazemsky’s novel “My Berlin Child” is a coming-of-age story about a German schoolgirl, Ursula. Set during World War II in Berlin, Ursula is faced with the realities of war and its consequences: bombings, destruction, and chaos. By reconstructing the fragmented narrative of her childhood years in Berlin, Ursula is able to piece together the puzzle of her personal identity and find peace in the midst of political turmoil and unrest.
At the onset of the novel, Berlin is in a period of jittery tension as the Nazi Party has begun consolidating its power through oppressive regime. Ursula is an only child, raised with an iron fist by her overcontrolling mother. As the war rages on and their home is bombed, their family is uprooted and their perspectives of life are forever changed. Ursula’s father is a resistance fighter for the German underground, putting the family at constant risk of being discovered by the Gestapo.
In her new setting, Ursula makes friends with several young girls around her age, each coming from a different background. Marianne is the daughter of a Jewish professor, whose family has been forced to hide to avoid persecution. Therese is a half-Jew who finds solace in her music studies. Nelly is troubled by a cruel stepmother who keeps her locked indoors. Together, they form a unique bond of friendship amidst the rigidity of the Nazi rule.
Ursula is eager to know more about her father and his role in the war effort, but her mother is adamant in protecting her from knowing the full extent of the dangers involved. Ursula slowly finds her own independence and inner voice as she slowly discovers secrets of her family’s past and define a path for her future.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the girls’ innocent childhood moments and innocent desires are juxtaposed with the harsh reality of what is happening in the country. Ursula’s bravery and resilience are tested as she learns to endure the war and the irreversible changes it has brought to her life. She struggles against the mounting hopelessness and anguishes knowing that her friends may not survive, and coming to terms with her own mortality.
Eventually, Ursula finds a haven in an abandoned house near the outskirts of Berlin. She discovers a hidden cache of letters her father had written to her: a story about a father’s love for his daughter and a reminder to embrace life fully, despite the difficulties that come with it.
Ultimately the novel evokes a story of enduring hope and recovery in times of immense despair. “My Berlin Child” is a poignant portrait of one girl's challenging journey to discover her identity and to triumph over fear during a time of war. The novel serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of staying true to oneself in times of distress.
