Standing in the Shadows

In 1983, East Berlin, a dissident rock band seeks to defect to the West, but their relationship with their lead singer, Gerda, and their friend Thomas is strained. Their arch-rivals, the state-sponsored Poodles, are doing well, and Udo has been banned from every major venue in the country. When Udo discovers that one of his bandmates is an informer, he is determined to escape to the West, but the secret police and his treacherous bandmate will not let him go that easily.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 August 2019
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

In the tumultuous year of 1983, amidst the oppressive atmosphere of East Berlin, a dissident rock band found solace in their music as a means of rebellion against the regime. Led by the charismatic and audacious Mick Jagger-like figure of Udo Dirkmeyer, the band harbored a daring plan to defect to the West, a dream that seemed impossible to achieve in the face of the strict surveillance and relentless persecution of the Stasi, the East German secret police.

Udo's personal life was also in turmoil. His relationship with Gerda, the talented lead singer of the band, had reached a dead end, and his once-close friend, Thomas, had succumbed to alcoholism and paranoia. The constant surveillance and persecution from the Stasi, who viewed rock music as a threat to the regime, wore on Udo's optimism, and he found himself smiling in the face of adversity, desperately trying to maintain his freedom.

However, the tide of Udo's fortunes began to change when he discovered that one of his bandmates was a traitor, working for the Stasi to destroy him and the band. The revelation sent Udo over the edge, and he found himself in a race against time to escape the clutches of the secret police and his treacherous bandmate.

Just when it seemed that all hope was lost, the band received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to defect to the West. The chance to pursue their dreams of making it big in the free world seemed within reach, but the road to freedom was not an easy one. The secret police and Udo's treacherous bandmate were determined to stop him at any cost, and Udo knew that he had to be both cunning and brave to make it work.

With the help of a few loyal supporters, Udo managed to escape East Berlin and make his way to the West. The journey was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but Udo's determination and resilience saw him through. Once in the West, the band began to gain recognition and success, and Udo finally felt that he had achieved his dreams.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. Udo struggled to adapt to the new culture and environment, and he often found himself longing for the familiar sights and sounds of East Berlin. He also faced the emotional scars of his past, the betrayal of his bandmate, and the loss of his friends and family in the East.

Despite these obstacles, Udo remained steadfast in his pursuit of happiness and success. He continued to write and perform music, using his platform to raise awareness about the plight of dissidents in East Germany and the importance of freedom and democracy. He also found solace in his relationship with Gerda, who had followed him to the West and supported him through the difficult times.

In the end, Udo's story is a testament to the power of music and the human spirit. It shows that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future, and that with determination and resilience, anything is possible. Udo's journey from East Berlin to the West is a reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, we can find the strength to overcome adversity and pursue our dreams.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 194 x 144 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789018578