Stones from the River

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Summary: An Original and Illuminating Story
Review: This is one of those rare stories that I would urge ANYONE to read. It stands apart from the standard Nazi-era books in its original approach; told not by a Jew, Nazi, or one of the Allies but a young Catholic German woman who not only has blonde hair and blue eyes, but is a "Zwerg"--a dwarf--and therefore not quite perfect for the teutonic ideal. How Trudi manages her difference from others ("[Being a zwerg] is like wearing your deepest secret on the outside" she tells a Nazi inquistor) and how the author has created an entire German village of endearing, quirky, spiteful, brave and cowardly people with whom Trudi interacts is nothing short of genius. Trudi Montag is one of the most influential literary characters I have met in a long time

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Summary: A Story of Difference
Review: A very poignant look at life from a small person's perspective. Heartwrenching account of her life growing up in wartime Germany. Makes you truly think about what life would be like to be considered different than anyone else

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Summary: EXCEPTIONAL!!
Review: Hegi has provided a brave explanation for the burning issue at the heart of the holocaust, "How could this have happened?" In describing the month to month progression of the Nazi machine upon a small German town, she captures the devastating effect of fear on the human conscience as well as the capacity for valor and brute strength of the human heart. A must read

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Summary: An excellent topic, but flawed execution .
Review: The study of a German town, before, during and after the 2nd world war is an excellent topic, and well worth examining. Hegi brings us this period through the voice of Trudi, the town librarian,and gosssip. Cleverly, Trudi is also a dwarf. She is often dismissed as a non-person , and is therefore privvy to the private thoughts and feelings of the townspeople.

The question of, how could this have happened? is addressed from the beginning to the end . The small compromises at first, to the blind faith persecutions are all addressed. Trudi shows us the town as it evolves from an ordinary community to one directed by fear and racism. They follow the nazi edicts with blind faith and passion. The people are either Hitler's devoted followers, or so fearful of the regime that they turn their backs on every misdeed, and everyone. And then , in the end when the Americans show up denial is everywhere. This is followed by silence and rationalization, and grief.

There are several things that keep this from being an excellent book. First, in the beginning of the story Trudi is 3 or 4 years old, yet has thoughts and perceptions of an adult. This is so blatant that it is distracting from the story. Second, there are so many names of the townspeople that it becomes confusing as to who is who. Maybe this is because the names and titles(frau or herr) are German. Never -the -less it is something you wind up just plowing through. Third, although the topic is great the story itself is not always interesting enough to keep you moving forward. I realize it is a difficult subject, and I don't want fluff like Grishom or Clancy , but there is a middle ground. I'd like to see authors like Irving or Conroy tackle this type of story. Finally, the book ended without purpose. Hegi seemed at a loss at how to close, and just rambled on .

All in all a facinationg topic, with a good idea for a medium(Trudi), with a flawed delivery

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Summary: [e-mail] Intriguing and Captivating
Review: What a refreshing approach to telling a story! The author has selected a dwarf to give her perspective of events leading up to, through and after world war II. I loved the main character and was as interested in her feelings and perspective as I was in the events that were happening around her. This book was educational, thought provoking , and well written. Great job Ursula Hegi

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Summary: Probably the best book I've ever read.
Review: "Stones from the River" is stunning. Hegi's observation that we are all the same on the outside but different on the inside is much more profound than the more common view that we are all different on the outside but the same on the inside. This story is moving, the characters captivating and the book is full of wonderful insights that really make one stop and think. I enjoyed every minute of this unusual novel

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Summary: About hatred and love
Review: This is the story about a woman who happens to be a dwarf. She happens to have been born in Germany, just before WWII. This is a narrator who can speak with authority about what its like to hate one's own body, and to witness hatred of others (Jews, homosexuals, the disabled). Hegi has written about an important subject although I was distracted by the verb tenses (future perfect) and a few sections of the narrative are rather slow at the beginning. Nevertheless, it's worth the read. Also highly recommended for high school and college students. It just might help anybody who has ever hated something about themselves, or about somebody else

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Summary: Good things come to those that wait...and read.
Review:

When Oprah introduced Stones from the River, she said the book had a slow start, but that the rewards were great. I agree and disagree. Heigi's story of a dwarf woman and the community in which she lives is compelling, heartbreaking, and full of suprizes, but the author takes her time in developing the story line. This is both necessary and maddening: you understand how important her picture of Bergdorf, Germany is to the book, but you become so instantly intrigued with Trudi and her parents that you just want Heigi to cut to the chase. After reading a few chapters, however, you care about everyone.

I found this book to be so different from Oprah's other books in that I stumbled across the best parts instead of anticipating them. However, I was oddly disappointed by the ending. The story has a magical, fairy-tale like quality I half-expected to manifest itself in the final pages. In other words, I wanted something truly wonderful to happen to Trudi, but I was left with an empty, incomplete feeling instead.

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Summary: Lest we forget
Review: I found the theme of "Stones" absolutely all encompassing. The idea that if we ignore something it will go away, brings the reader full face with events from today's news. We must never forget what happened and how it happened. Even one small act can change a person's life. Trudi was amazing and at times repelling. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Please read it and dedicate yourself to one small act of kindness or to make a difference

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Summary: A terricfic book that educates and captivates.
Review: Hegi has an art for making you feel close to the characters in this book. I felt like I knew each one of them personally. You begin to realize how important this is when the fate of each character unravels. This book awakens one to the differences in each individual. You learn that everyone is unique whether it be in their appearance, their lifestyle or in their religion