Healing the Wounds of War - A Review of The Silence in Between by Josie Ferguson
RATING - 4.1 out of 5
The Silence in Between follows the lives of a mother and daughter as they navigate post-war trauma, longing, family struggles, and the stark realities of life in divided Berlin. While West Berlin was occupied by the Americans, British, and French—offering easier access to healthcare, Western music, culture, and modern architecture—the East was marked by war-torn buildings, constant surveillance, and a lack of freedom. Josie does an excellent job highlighting not just the superficial differences between East and West Berlin but also the contrasting mindsets of their residents.
The story begins in East Berlin during the construction of the Berlin Wall. Lisette, the mother, has just given birth to her son in West Berlin but returns to East Berlin before the barrier is erected. Separated from her son, Lisette is heartbroken, despite already having a daughter, Elly, who was born in war-torn Berlin. With a strained relationship between them, Elly embarks on a desperate act in hopes of reuniting her family and mending the bond with her mother. Through their journeys, the book explores how Berlin’s environment, culture, and spirit transformed post-war. Both Lisette and Elly carry the scars of World War II, and the central question becomes: how do you heal when the wounds of the past still bleed around you?
I enjoyed this book because it offers a fresh perspective on civilian life during and after the war. Jodie does an excellent job of portraying the collective guilt felt by Germans while also illustrating how Berlin's culture and environment had irrevocably changed. The women’s struggles, particularly dealing with the Russian occupation and its aftermath, are poignantly depicted.
The key takeaway for me was the importance of communication, especially across generations. So much remains unsaid between Lisette and Elly, as well as between Lisette and her own mother, Oma Rita. While Lisette waits for her mother’s apology for her role in post-war Berlin, Elly is left longing for an explanation of why Lisette was never fully able to be a mother to her.
