Summary

In Chapter 17, the political structure in East Germany begins to change. Hans follows the news, particularly as it relates to censorship, the appointment of a new president, and “the future of Communism” (229).

Hans writes to Katharina saying he will stop making cassettes. He no longer wants to talk about Frankfurt (230). He leaves the note at her apartment while she is at school.

Katharina feels the happiest she has felt in some time. Although things are the way they were before, “everything is also different. And in two weeks there are the elections” (231). After the election, Hungary opens “the border to Austria” (231).

In Chapter 18, Katharina decides to “make Hans a present of her notes” and diaries (232). The more she writes, the more “shame she feels” (232). She wonders if she takes these notes because the affair “is based on illusion” (234).

As the...