Sven Siekmann
Illustrator & Author
This is a beautifully illustrated gripping book. It gives a great insight into life in East Berlin before the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 while following the struggles of a family eager to find freedom from totalitarianism. I was engrossed from the beginning and finished it in one evening. I would highly recommend!
Caroline Cassidy
Praise & Reviews
I really enjoyed the story, even if “enjoyed” is not quite the right word — it was quite harrowing! And knowing it had some basis in reality, even moreso! Sven, I’m really glad you could channel your life experiences into such a story, and so well-told, too.
Chris Ryall
"I really enjoyed reading Sven Siekmann's graphic novel "Time Zones". It really hit home for me as I had relatives living in the area of the former East Germany, however they moved to the former West Germany as the Soviet army approached at the end of WW2. This novel gave me a sense of what their lives would have been like, had they not moved to the West. The graphics were wonderful, and the transitions from one scene to the next were very creative. The bold and frightening escape plan shows how desperate Sven's parents were to leave East Germany as they saw no hope for their children. We, in the liberal West, are very fortunate to be born into the freedom that Sven's family risked their lives to attain. And the current Ukraine-Russia conflict is a timely reminder of how tenuous democracy and freedom are."
Time Zones" by Sven Siekmann is a five-star graphic novel that seamlessly blends captivating illustrations and storytelling, with the raw authenticity of a lived experience. Sven's story feels both unbelievable and hauntingly real. This graphic novel is a compelling journey through life in Germany when a wall divided the country in two. This book uniquely blends beauty, mystery, and genuine human experience. It's a must-read for anyone who appreciates art, storytelling, and the power of a truly unforgettable graphic novel.
Nancy Norris
Philip Fleury
About Sven Siekmann
Sven Siekmann was born in East Germany.
He spent his formative years navigating the challenges of life under a repressive regime.
in 1977, Sven’s family bravely began their plans to escape East Germany in pursuit of freedom. In 1977, those plans were thwarted and his parents were arrested and imprisoned.
With the assistance of the West German government and after long years of determination and resilience, in 1983, the family was finally allowed to leave the East and move to West Germany. After years of the family being split up, that date marked them all coming together again.
Following his newfound freedom in the West, Sven embarked on a journey of self-discovery and opportunity.
On the continuum of his passion for storytelling and art, Time Zones is his first Graphic Novel as both writer and illustrator. More projects are in the works.
Today, he resides in California.