Heroes Like Us

by Thomas Brussig

Book Overview

Provocative and hilarious, Heroes Like Us was the first novel to comment on the downfall of East Germany by an author who had grown up with the Berlin Wall. Klaus Uhltzscht, born in 1968 in East Germany, grows up across the street from the Ministry of State Security, and he is inspired early on to do his share to win the Cold War. Naturally he joins the Secret Police, but his glorious career as an international agent never materializes. Instead, he...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374527601
• ISBN13: 9780374527600
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Farrar, Strauss & Giroux-3pl
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Laughter Behind the Iron Curtain

Though Thomas Brussig belongs to the post-Wende generation of German writers who satirize the Ostalgie (nostalgia about the "good ol' days" of life behind the iron curtain in East Germany), his Heroes Like Us stands out in the torrents of funny stories about life in the DDR. In his sober survey of socialist realism, Brussig has a particular sense of humor as he mixes the serious (propaganda) with the improbably comedic circumstances.

thomas brussig gets real

a fine newish book from germany.... brussig has a similar bite to philip roth... facing real issues especially the german fear of being german....

Oustandingly funny and brilliant!

I laughed from page 2 to the last. Brussig is an imaginative and talented writer that truly knows the meaning of satire. If you like dark humor and cynicism, then this book is for you. Be aware that if you can't handle "penis talk" then you definitely should not read this. The German version is equally as good, and likewise the translation is quite accurate.

reading this book you cannot stop laughing

Originally I gave "Heroes like us" to my stepfather, because I thought it was about the term of history he has lived in, and so he would be interested in a witty story about East Germany. But when he read he was so enthusiastic about it that he could not give it away. I immediately took the book and did not wonder any more about his reaction. The slightly ironic style of Thomas Brussig took possession of me. The action mainly takes place in the area where I was born and so I could comprehend how "hero" Klaus experiences his surroundings. But I think for any other reader this book will also bring perfect entertainment and better understanding of "life in the DDR".

An excellent story of East Germany, the falling of the Wall

For anyone interested in life on a day to day basis in the DDR, this is the book. An insight into the working of the infamous Stasi, in a very humorous tone.