In Berlin
A work of empathetic precision
Software engineer Anna Werner lives at a rapid clip, relishing her work and adopted city as much as her early morning runs. All comes undone on a sweaty August evening when, in the course of a 20-minute commute, Anna goes from worrying vaguely over a sore shoulder to staggering her way into an ambulance. She has suffered a spinal stroke. Over the coming months, her parents join the insurance man in telling her to get ready for life in a group home.
The only person who recognizes what Anna is still capable of is Batul al-Jaberi, a recent Syrian immigrant who meets Anna while doing her rounds as a janitor at the hospital. Batul is applying to medical school, where she hopes to regain control of a life hijacked by her family’s flight from persecution in the early days of the Arab Spring.
At first the friendship is what Anna and Batul each need to regain mobility. But as their relationship deepens, Batul finds she must choose between her family and Anna—a choice that will force both women to rewrite their notions of loyalty.
In Berlin is a work of empathetic precision, exploring both the unpredictable nature by which geopolitics and scientific breakthroughs touch our lives, and the brave, bold, and sometimes quiet ways in which people reassert agency in the face of loss. Most of all, it taps a throughline of emotion that binds characters and readers alike across geographies, cultures, and ambitions.
Praise for the novel
“An utterly spellbinding journey full of unexpected turns and nuanced characters, In Berlin reflects a triumph of the human spirit in the face of unexpected catastrophe. Silberstein has given us a gift: a deeply moving opportunity to look at tragedy with new eyes, and in doing so, to find hope and beauty in the most surprising of places.”—Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States
“Silberstein's portrayal of life with a spinal cord injury is about as intimate as one can get without actually having experienced SCI on a personal level. The reader enters the protagonists’ lives and travels their difficult and complex journey, from devastation and anger to acceptance and, finally, empowerment and hope. His novel is for the universe, and all readers will find bits of themselves in places they might not have realized.”—Heather Krill, author of the novel True North and writer for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
“This is a page-turner of a novel rich in ideas. The story is packed with moments I recognize and yet it is wholly original, with characters who will surprise you again and again. They remind us what it's like to be alive now, in a tumultuous era of dazzling possibilities and tremendous challenges. An important book.”—Stanley Sagov, MD, former Chair, Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital
“… a finely crafted novel of geopolitics, ambition, and competing loyalties. Original, exceptional, inherently compelling, and as relevant as today's nightly news headlines, In Berlin is a fascinating read from start to finish.”—Midwest Book Review
—Karen Roy, LCSW, Ms. Wheelchair America 2019“As someone who has lived with paraplegia for nearly 40 years, I was deeply moved by In Berlin. Silberstein captures, with remarkable honesty and empathy, the complex emotional landscape of living with paralysis—both the grief of losing control over your body and the quiet, hard-won gratitude that emerges through adaptation.
“This book transported me. It offered a window into unfamiliar cultures, scientific frontiers, and deeply human questions of identity, resilience, and belonging. I felt seen, stretched, and reminded of how connection and determination can reshape even the most unexpected futures.
“In Berlin is a profoundly beautiful novel. I’m grateful to have read it and recommend it without reservation.”
“Unexpected … an intriguing, exciting, twisted, frustrating, entangled, non-conventional love story. Exposes life in a raw, the-way-it-is fashion, but still making it all so beautiful. The underlying message advocates for kindness and hope, despite the brutalities of the world, entrenched societal norms, and seemingly demoralizing life circumstances.”—Nina Ephremidze, former host of Trip to Europe
“...a touching, unconventional love story between women of two different worlds…moving…a singular novel—a slow-burn literary love story that is wise and incisive about medicine, geopolitics, healing, and life as it is actually lived.”—BookLife Reviews (Editor’s Pick)
“Batul’s encounters in Aleppo and abroad mirror many Syrians’ experiences of starting anew multiple times. The detailed portrayal of her struggles and triumphs is a poignant reminder of the strength and resilience within us all. This story is both deeply personal and widely relatable, offering a profound exploration of agency and self-belief. Batul’s journey is a testament to the human spirit, and it has left an indelible mark on my heart.”—Ali Aljasem, PhD, scholar in Conflict Studies at Utrecht University
—Ashley Lyn Olson, founder of wheelchairtraveling.com“In Berlin is a poignant and timely story about resilience, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to rebuild a life after profound change. Silberstein masterfully intertwines Anna’s journey of adapting to life after sudden paralysis with Batul’s pursuit of a new beginning in a foreign country. Both women navigate different forms of displacement—one physical, the other cultural—yet their stories are bound by a shared search for independence, belonging, and purpose.
“With a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of human connection, the novel captures the complexities of adapting to new realities—whether learning a new language or redefining personal strength. It’s a narrative that speaks to our times, reminding us that even in isolation, we’re shaped by the bonds we form and the kindness of strangers. In Berlin is an inspiring and thought-provoking exploration of perseverance and the ties that ground us, no matter where we are.”
“This beautifully crafted story resonated deeply with me, capturing the challenges and triumphs of love, faith and resilience in an authentic way. Truly moving.”—Hend ElShemy, Egyptian paraplegic English teacher
“A finely spun story of love and loss.”—Kirkus Reviews
“The author masterfully captures the local details of Syria with precision and authenticity through the character of Batul and her family. The narrative delves deeply and systematically into the structure of the Syrian family as shaped by war, raising questions about the social transformations that have reshaped it in its aftermath. Moreover, the text sheds light on the afflictions that have plagued this family in the realm of exile and displacement, portraying the struggles it has had to endure—not from a broad, detached perspective, but through an intimate exploration of Batul’s psyche.”—Ahmad Barghash, author of the novel Thalath Shamat Yahrasna al-Madina (Three Beauty Marks Guard the City)
“Through a captivating story, In Berlin conveys the psychosocial aspects of a life-changing neurological injury that are often overshadowed by the injury alone. The novel is a reminder both of what is possible after a spinal cord injury, and that advocacy for oneself is paramount in the recovery process.”—Erika Dixon, PT, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Neurologic Clinical Specialist
“A captivating and thought-provoking page-turner. Through intricate storytelling, carefully researched details, and exceptional insights into human behavior, the novel presents a tale of resilience. The story is particularly significant in our current climate where cultural biases often overshadow empathy and understanding. Silberstein takes us on a journey that lets us see beyond surface-level differences and appreciate the deeper connections that bind us together.”—Zeba Hyder, Patient Advocate
"In Berlin is a beautiful novel about one young woman's determination to rebuild her life after paralysis. I'm still thinking about Anna, Batul, and their families, about how the choices we make and the people we encounter, even in the most casual circumstances, can change our lives in huge and unexpected ways. Written with sensitivity and attention to detail, it depicts paralysis and rehabilitation in ways that will feel authentic to anyone who has experienced a spinal cord injury and educate those who thankfully have not."—Debra Poli, United Spinal Association Chapter Leader
“Once I picked In Berlin up, I didn’t want to put it back down. This novel provides a window into the everyday, often unseen, struggles after a spinal cord injury. It builds awareness, empathy and a unique perspective into the lives of the brave people I treat every day.”—Angela Beninga, DO, Post-Acute Spinal Cord Injury Physician and Associate Director, Outpatient Rehabilitation, Shepherd Center
“In Berlin is a deep and thoughtfully researched and written book exploring the unexpected challenges of acquiring a disability and of cross-cultural love and partnership. Silberstein approaches the subject matter with humility and reverence, appreciating that these life experiences can be painful and extraordinarily difficult, yet there is an inherent and sacred beauty and humanity to navigating these journeys.”—Tim Brown, host of The Unexpected Journey
Audiobook
The unabridged audiobook is narrated by Helen Laser, a recipient of the Audiofile Earphone Award.
Where to buy
In Berlin will be published on August 5, 2025 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon, Bookshop, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and other book and audiobook retailers.
Eric Silberstein and Lucy Pérez discuss In Berlin
The Harvard Club of Boston. September 16, 2025 @ 6pm.
Pre-registration is required — stay tuned for details