Rating: 
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: During one of my many conversations with a Jewish acquantance, I told her I often felt self conscious about saying I am of German heritage to a Jew, and it didn't seem right, especially since my ancestors had no animosity towards Jews, even during WWII. She suggested I read this book. I thought the book was excellent! It portrays how a small German town, with a mixture of Jews, Protestants and Catholics actually lived, their prejudices or lack thereof, and how they were all affected by Hitler and the War. It adds meaning to "real friends don't desert you, even in times of trouble". Even though the people were powerless against Hitler, in their hearts and souls, they remained connected. The way the author uses Trudi, a dwarf, to unfold this epic, is complex but very successful. For anyone who as ever had a disability, been sexually abused, or lived with someone with mental illness, this book realistically portrays the lifetime battle associated with any of these. The author depicts how Trudi, so victimized, stigmatized, etc. manages to weave her lot within the community, while hiding her inner emotions to everyone expect us, the readers. The author also does a wonderful job of keeping this a German epic, by using, from time to time, German phrases with translations. There are many characters and at times it may be hard to remember whose who, but it makes me just want to read the book again.
Rating:
Summary: An awesome book
Review: I actually attempted to avoid this book because it was recommended by Oprah. For whatever reason, however, I felt drawn to it and am I ever glad that I finally read it. This is a beautifully written piece of literature. I was enthralled by Trudi Montag and the author as well. It was the kind of book that you wished would continue on and on.
Rating: 
Summary: Stones from the River
Review: I avoided this book because it was an Oprah book club selection. I gave in when I heard it was about WWII Germany. That was the only good part of this book, and that alone kept me reading to the bitter and disappointing end. I wearied of the gossipy town with too many loony people. I actually was thinking of making a character map so I could remember who was who and who did what to whom. Then I realized it just wasn't worth the effort. The worst part was at the end when we're supposed to believe that someone told 5-year-old Hanna about the naked man by the river ( a really minor incident ten years ago and they're telling a five-year-old). Yeah, right! Give me a break.
Rating: 
Summary: A book that makes you think, but doesn't always entertain.
Review: Hegi's story of Trudi, a dwarf living in Germany during the Nazi era, was slow reading for me, not because it is a challenge, but because I just didn't believe or identify with the characters. I guess the author wants Trudi to be the someone we empathize with, yet in order to create someone tough enough to make it through life as a dwarf and survive Nazi Germany, Hegi also has to endow her protagonist with a certain hard edge that causes the reader to back away. The result, at least for me, was a main character who you at once feel sorry for and can't really get close to. The portrayal of the Germans during the 30's and 40's, I'm sure, is accurate and enlightening. This book makes you think, but it didn't capture my imagination. I found the characters rather flat. I learned about their political views and their quirks, but I never really got to know THEM. Although the book is in excess of 500 pages, somehow I felt the author was just scraping the surface. An interesting read from a historical perspective... instructive, but not all that pleasurable a way to spend a quiet Saturday afternoon.
Rating:
Summary: Am I the only one who didn't like the book?
Review: After so many people said that they liked this book, I decided to read it for myself. After 250 pages the book didn't interest me at all. But I continued to read the story and by the end I was extremely disappointed. I felt no compassion for Trudi and thought her to be selfish and drab, regardless of her insane mother and short body. The character developement left a lot to be desired. I did think that the author had a good sense of seeing the war through a German viewpoint but that most of it got lost between Trudi's life and her stories. How can one possibly find any good in this as a literary work when the author writes such obsurd lines as "To force their secrets to the surface like water farts and let them rip through the silence."
Rating:
Summary: Chick Book? No Way!
Review: Most people think that this is a chick book. Not so. This was extremely well written and also provided a common German view to the war. Guys, read this book.
Rating:
Summary: This book will hold you...
Review: I read this book more than one year ago and still think about the plot line. I am going to read it a second time. This is the kind of story that enriches the reader each time it is read. What a cast of characters. What a backdrop. You can read the other 200 reviews for what happens. If you are reading this review to decide whether to buy the book, the answer is YES. This is a thinking person's book. It will sweep you away to another land and place, that was as unreal as many of the characters might, at first blush, appear to be. This is a stunning, complex book. Not for the Danielle Steel crowd. For those of you who appreciate good "books" and even the "L" word (Literature), this book is for you. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Very compelling once you get past page 100!
Review: It took me a long time to really "discover the treasure" in this book. I would agree with an earlier reviewer that the first few chapters were unnecessary and detracted from the story. However, once I got past that, I found an amazing and enlightening story. The writing was wonderful, and the story of a small German town before, during and after Hitler answered questions I had long harbored about how Nazi Germany actually came to pass.
Rating:
Summary: How Different is Different?
Review: Stones From the River is a book about being different, as all people are different. In this case, the main character, Trudy Montag, is a dwarf and we trace her life from birth to adulthood in Natzi Germany where she realizes that she is not the only one who is "different." Throughout her youth, Trudy suffers the pain and indignity that come from ridicule from her schoolmates as she longs to have friends and be part of the group; she also develops a deepseated rage stemming from certain heinous acts against her. When it becomes apparent that the Natzis truly have control and beloved members of the community begin to be threatened, beaten and eventually disappear, Trudy finds the strength to help those people who suddenly have become as different as she is. While she and her father hide Jews and other dissidents, she is able to accept herself more easily. Another aspect of the book is Trudy's storytelling ability and her skill at turning the real world into fictions that are easier to live with and that make the townspeople come to her for information and comfort. This is a deeply conceived book, one with beautiful passages that you want to read over and over; most importantly, it teaches the lesson that all people are different, some physically, all mentally and emotionally, but all longing for the same things, love, family, security, and safety.
Rating:
Summary: Stones From the River
Review: Stones From the River is an excellent story, although long it was definitely worthwhile reading. The storyline is unlike any other, from a unique young girl's perspective of her life as a dwarf living through two world wars in Germany. She is a courageous woman that finally accepts her physical differences from the people in her town, and finally learns to love herself for who she really is inside. All through her life she was desperate to belong, and she overcame her obstacles with sometimes love and sometimes anger and revenge. She is a powerful character faced with several difficult situations during her life. First, her mother goes mad, then dies, feeling it is her own fault being told it was because of her stunted body. Then teased not only by the children, but also talked badly about by the adults of the town. She covets a humiliating secret that no young girl should ever have to go through (being taken advantage by the four boys by the river). When she becomes older she experiences heartache, feeling that no man will ever love her because she is a dwarf. And when she does find that love he is taken away from her. With all that she endures she is still strong and understands what her life is all about, this is a touching story that everyone should have a chance to read. I personally connected with the Trudi's character and can totally relate to many of her feelings.
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