Beth Kephart works her wordsmith magic skills again with Going Over. Kephart’s signature style is all about the carefully crafted turn of phrases and imagery. I think if you’re the sort of reader who is all about words being able to paint pictures, you’ll be in for a treat when you read Going Over. I would also say that this isn’t the sort of book you should pick up if you expect consistent action and love triangles.
Going Over is a historical fiction young adult book about Ada and Stefan. Set in Berlin, 1983 Kephart’s book is all about two teens living on opposite sides of the wall. Ada is fifteen and a graffiti artist. She lives in West Berlin and works at a daycare. Stefan lives in East Berlin with his grandmother who is best friends with Ada’s grandmother. Ada keeps pushing him to escape to West Berlin because she’s in love with him and he’s in love with her. And so, much of this book revolves around Stefan making a plan and finding the courage to escape to West Berlin. It also revolves around Ada’s life in East Berlin and her work with one child in particular, wherein Ada must find the courage to speak up for justice.
Ada is a relatively interesting character. I would say that she’s a manic pixie dream girl, however, Kephart thankfully does a great job of developing her character. Ada has pink hair, she never sleeps and she’s had to grow up really fast. Her mother finds love in what seems to be all the wrong places and is fragile. So, Ada is like the glue that holds everything together. I liked that although her character lives on the West Berlin side, she does not lead a perfect life. In fact, Ada along with her grandmother and mother is a squatter. She’s endured some fairly awful things as well. Yet, she remains strong and courageous through it all.
Going Over is written using somewhat alternating chapters between Ada and Stefan. Ada’s chapters are told using first person whereas Stefan’s are told using second person. The perspective change can be a bit jarring and I think that if you aren’t used to second person you might not like it. For me, I thought it was an interesting choice. I thought that Stefan’s chapters seemed a bit more immediate whereas Ada’s seemed much more well rounded and fleshed out. Overall, Kephart’s book is a decent addition to the historical fiction about the Berlin Wall subgenre.
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Woah! I’ve never read a book featuring this time period and concept of history. I love fiction set in other countries – specifically, Germany, with its rich and interesting past. Creative how parts are told in first person, and in second person. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, April! Fabulous review 🙂
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I’ve read a book set during this time, but in Russia, by Natalie Standiford – The Boy On The Bridge, which was pretty good.
But yeah, I love books set in other countries too. I hope you get a chance to maybe check this one out some day. 🙂
Yay 1983! So many good things happened that year (ie I was born). This is NOT a time period I’m really familiar with though. Even though I grew up during the 80s I have no idea what actually went on during this time. The Berlin Wall though… I have no idea about it! This sounds like such a beautiful story though; I love when words, like you said, paint pictures. Glad this one was so good! I will be adding to my reading list!
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Really, all I know about the 80s are the movies which are awesome.
Going Over is a gorgeous book for sure.
Thank you for bringing my attention to this book. I love historical fiction and this is the time period that a lot of my university studies focused on. It sounds absolutely fascinating
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Sure thing! I thought it was pretty unique how this book focused on what feels like an underappreciated time period. You should definitely give Going Over a shot!