Stasiland by Anna Funder, clothbound hardback

Stasiland is Anna Funder’s account of surveillance, resistance and people affected by the former East German state. This Penguin Modern Australian Classics edition is described as a clothbound hardback, with 304 pages.

At a glance

The publisher description focuses on stories of surveillance and resistance in former East Germany.
The listing presents this edition as a clothbound hardback in the Penguin Modern Australian Classics series.
The narrative follows people affected by the Stasi, including individuals targeted by the state and former officers.

Price

$29.15Save 17%

Reference price: ~~$35.00~~

Price checked: 13 Nov 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Customer feedback describes the book as gripping and readable, with compelling stories and engaging writing.
Readers report that its insights into the GDR help place historical events in perspective.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Publication
Publisher	Penguin
Publication date	14 July 2026
Edition	1st
Language	English
Print length	304 pages

Identifiers
ISBN-10	1761620592
ISBN-13	978-1761620591

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions	13.6 x 3 x 20.4 cm
Weight listed	440 g

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The listing’s description identifies the edition as clothbound hardback, while its product details do not separately specify the binding. Confirm the format if that distinction matters.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers interested in the former East Germany, surveillance and resistance.
Buyers seeking a narrative history focused on individual stories and personal accounts.
Readers who value a hardback edition for a personal library or gift.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a light or emotionally undemanding read, as customer feedback notes that the subject matter can feel heartbreaking.

Stasiland by Anna Funder, clothbound hardback · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.4 / 5 · 3,212 ratings

5 stars54%54%
4 stars34%34%
3 stars10%10%
2 stars1%1%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback highlights compelling stories, engaging writing and insights that help readers put GDR history in perspective. Many describe the book as gripping and readable, while reactions to its emotional weight are mixed, with some finding it heartbreaking. For readers seeking accessible narrative history, those reported strengths may suit the book’s account of surveillance and resistance, though the subject matter is not emotionally light.

Positive themes

Customers describe the stories as compelling and the writing as engaging and readable.
Readers report that the book offers insightful context about the GDR and historical events.

Mixed feedback

The emotional content receives mixed reactions, with some readers finding it heartbreaking.

Frequently asked questions

What is Stasiland about?

The listing describes encounters with people affected by the former East German surveillance state, including those targeted by it and former Stasi officers.

What format is this edition?

The description calls it a clothbound hardback in the Penguin Modern Australian Classics series. The binding is not separately specified in the product details, so confirm it if format is important.

How long is the book?

The listed print length is 304 pages.

What do customers say about the book?

The supplied feedback describes compelling stories, strong writing and useful historical insight, while noting that the emotional content may be heartbreaking.