These Four Walls - Berlin Syndrome by Melanie Joosten

If I ever felt entrapped by a book, Berlin Syndrome by Melanie Joosten made sure it made the top of the list. I was drawn to this novel after watching the film version on Netflix and reading about the reviews. I found that every single book review on Berlin Syndrome noted how the two were completely different stories in a way (especially in regard to the ending), but NO ONE told me how! Curiosity got the best of me, and I am extremely glad it did. However, for those who also watched the film, be prepared to feel tortured as well for I refuse to be the first reviewer to give away spoilers on this novel.

At the beginning, and based off the synopsis, I immediately connected Joosten's work to Stolen by Lucy Christopher. While the basis is similar, the overall story was told in two completely different styles which is very impressive to someone who has read very few kidnapping (I use the term lightly) pieces. Joosten's novel tells the story through both Clare and Andi's perspectives with no real sense of time. I say this not as an insult, but as a unique storytelling experience. Like Clare, especially when we are hearing her side of things, the reader loses a sense of what is occurring when with no knowledge from Clare on life outside of the home. Inside the home, days blend together as she grasps at finding new tasks to keep from losing her mind.

At the same time, Andi is out in the world and coming back to Clare every day. The reader gets to see the development in the interactions based on what you would expect from a discussion as well as how one can be affected when the responding party never leaves the apartment.

The multiple perspectives also aided in another way that encourages the anxiety of the reader: as Clare tries new tactics to get what she wants, sometimes we see that she was so close to breaking through in one way or another right before changing it up. You want to tell her what she needs to know, but as we all know, that is not how these types of situations work. It is up to the two characters to find the answers and make the decisions.

One thing I will say in regard to the differences between the two mediums (film and novel) is that Andi's perspective is a lot less sinister in the written version, at least at the beginning. While the film adds quite a bit to his character development in a different light, it is definitely true to say "don't judge a book by its movie." While I enjoyed the movie, and felt the actress who played Clare was absolutely phenomenal (and yes, Andi from Sense 8 also pulled at my heartstrings), the book was able to convey the psychological thriller nature to a depth that exceeded the film. There is a connection to reading the actual thoughts rather than seeing only the actions that presents a sort of...psychological aspect to the psychological thriller.

I would love to see more work from Joosten in this aspect, but will also be giving her Gravity Well a try which seems to convey themes outside of the thriller genre.

As for this novel, I would definitely encourage any and all of you to pick it up and try to stop the chills Joosten elicits.


Enjoyed this review or feel like a healthy debate? Share in the comments below! 

Aspiring novelist/story-teller? Let me help you out! I am always open to expanding my personal library and, writer to writer, understand how hard it can be to get your name out there.