New novel by Julie Heiland takes place in divided Germany: "The Girlfriends from the Strandbad"

Between the construction and fall of the Wall: Julie Heiland publishes a new two-part series that addresses the division of Germany.

The first volume is already on the market.

Thanning – The Thanninger successful author Julie Heiland (“Diana – Queen of Hearts”) traveled to the Müggelsee in East Berlin for her new two-part novel “Die Freundinnen vom Strandbad”.

There she collected zeitgeist, local color and many anecdotes in order to be able to write the story of three friends against the background of the division of Germany in a lively and authentic way.

The first part with the subtitle “Waves of Destiny” has just been published.

New novel by Julie Heiland takes place in divided Germany: "The Girlfriends from the Strandbad"

On a hot July day in the summer of 1956, a swimming accident irretrievably brings the three girls Clara, Martha and Betty together at the Müggelsee lido.

A deep friendship grows from their joint rescue operation, which, despite all differences, binds the girls together forever.

The novel is visually as fresh as a light summer breeze and seems to be the German answer to Elena Ferrante's Napoli saga "My Brilliant Girlfriend".

However, the German author makes no secret of her identity.

Her name is as real as her research on site.

Julie Heiland (30) talks about her research: "This time lives on anecdotes"

The studied journalist and trained actress says in an interview with our newspaper: "I have already worked on historical material for many books.

But this story was the most demanding research so far.” The topic of the division of Germany after the Second World War and the different development of East and West is incredibly complex.

Heiland: "I don't just mean the conceptual differences, for example that jeans in the GDR were not called jeans, but rivet pants."

Last summer she quickly realized that the background for her summer series of novels cannot simply be researched at a desk.

She made the first contacts in her home gym and quickly traveled to East Berlin in September 2021.

She visited museums, the lido (she was allowed to take a look inside despite ongoing renovation work) and used the trip to interview numerous contemporary witnesses on site.

The 30-year-old is certain: "Especially this time, between the construction and fall of the Wall, between East and West, thrives on anecdotes." For example, a lady at the lido told her how many years ago she crossed the frozen lake in her Trabbi drove.

"A story like that naturally inspires me a lot and then made it into the novel as a small scene," reveals the author Heiland.

Despite all the contemporary complexity and heaviness, the story about Clara, Martha and Betty is written in an entertaining way.

In order to be able to meet submission and printing deadlines, the 30-year-old put on a veritable writing marathon: “I really sat at my desk for weeks from five or six in the morning to nine in the evening.” During this time she was deeply immersed in this other world.

And has always been inspired by her characters while writing.

"The Girlfriends from the Strandbad" is set in the GDR and the FRG - Julie Heiland deals with the division of Germany

It starts off quickly: in the first chapter, which revolves around the year 1956, the reader learns that the three girls grew up in very different circumstances.

When they visit the lido on that hot July day, they hardly know each other.

A swimming accident occurs, in which the trio is thrown together by chance and saves an elderly regular from drowning.

After that, the three girls become inseparable friends.

You can read the latest news from Wolfratshausen, Geretsried and the surrounding area here

Or?

There is a big jump in time as early as the second chapter.

In 1960, the three girls are already blossoming young women who are about to graduate from school and are setting the course for their adult lives.

Clara is critical of the GDR regime and secretly dreams of life in the West.

Martha lives true to the line and is an enthusiastic supporter of the "Free German Youth" (FDJ).

Lively Betty has the talent to make the best of everything.

She loves movies, dreams of being an actress and falls in love.

First kisses in the lido, the taste of Fassbrause on the tongue and a bit of salt on the skin at the "Berlin Sea".

New book by Julie Heiland is already available

The novel has everything a holiday read needs.

But with the construction of the wall, the friends are faced with a difficult decision: flee or stay?

The solution to this is in the second part of the "Müggelsee Saga".

You don't have to wait until next summer for that.

It will appear at the end of July with the subtitle "Waves of Freedom".

Reading fun, where you can really immerse yourself, is guaranteed.

Read the latest news from Egling here.

The new novel by Julie Heiland "The Girlfriends from the Strandbad - Waves of Destiny" will be published by Ullstein Verlag on May 27th.

The "Müggelsee Saga Part 1" has 623 pages and costs 11.99 euros.

The book will also be available as an audio book on audible, read by Cathlen Gawlich.