Set in Leipzig, during the fall of 1989, Shari Green's beautiful YA story is told in verse. The novel shares 16-year-old Helena’s point of view during the tumultuous dying months of the DDR. While her closest friend escapes to the freedom of the west, Helena knows that Leipzig is her home and that she’ll never choose to leave. Rather than run away, she would rather risk prison by following her idealistic father’s lead to protest for her freedom. An aspiring conductor, Helena falls in love with another music student who like her friend, also wants to escape to the west. Helena must make some gut-wrenching decisions when the Stasi threatens her family. I can't help but compare her choices to what's happening in Ukraine. Stay for your country or leave for your family. Not easy.
| Nikolai church Leipzig Wikipedia |
The musicality of the author’s words, the rhythm, timing, cadence … all flow so effortlessly into the plot of a love story set in the weeks leading up to the peaceful collapse of the DDR. I was struck by the beauty and depth of this novel … like a musical score. Infused with rich historical detail, this is a poignant story where even a church, Leipzig’s Nikolaikirche, comes alive as a character representing the power of prayer, hope and of song.
A couple of my favourite lines, “… dreams are slippery things when I’m losing my grip, it does my heart good to know someone else believes I should hold on.” (page 83/4).
“I am the conductor and it’s up to me to shape the discontent parts of my life.” (page 197)
Another beautiful line, of many, near the end, “Around me, energy flits like fireflies, glinting on the faces of passersby.” (page 226)
Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams is shortlisted for the 2024 Governor General’s Award.
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