“Ich”

I did not even know that this write exists until I bought that series published by the German newspaper “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. And that is exactly the best aspect of the entire series, you will be introduced to really interesting authors. Hilbig comes from East Germany. The topic of this book is the almighty “Stasi” (the secret service against its own population) and how this dirty service compromised the personality of their official and unofficial servants. The story is told by a writer who also serves the “Stasi” in the underground. He nixes his literature, reality, and his reporting services. The title “Ich” means “Me” (intentionally in quotes). Sometimes he cannot determine who he is. It happens that the authors changes in a single paragraph from the first to the third person. Another strong picture evokes his habit to spend many hours in Berlin’s underground. Literally, since he found out that most of the basements are connected.
In many flashbacks he tells the story of the informant “Cambert” on his way from the province to Berlin and back. As in in real life those many informants checked on each other. It seems that everybody collaborated with the “Stasi”. There are some really insightful sentences about the nature of such a perverted secret service in the book. Not an easy read – but definitely involving.