Stones from the River

I very much enjoyed Stones from the river. At first I wasn't sure I'd read it or not. I had a hard time enjoying the first 50 pages or so, then the story picked up and became an interesting read. I was glad I continued reading.

Written in 1994, and set in the small (fictional) German town of Burgdorf from 1915 - 1951, this compassionate novel centers on Trudi Montag, a bright, observant, and articulate young woman who is also a zwerg, a dwarf. Born to a mentally ill mother who dies when Trudi is three, Trudi is at first bewildered by her small size, hanging from doorframes to "stretch" her arms and legs, praying that she will become more like other... Read Full Review

A friend insisted I buy this book, telling me what a masterpiece it was. I was at first sceptical, and I must confess it did not grab me within the first few chapters as I had hoped that it would. The main character is a dwarf, the child of a mentally ill mother and a father disabled in World War 1, and whereas her life looked as if it would be interesting, if filled with angst, I was confident that this itself would not... Read Full Review

Through the past several years, I have been able to read a great deal of important Holocaust literature. While some other stories have greater historical or literary significance, this book stands apart for me. It is the first book that has truly forced me to question what I would do in this situation.The protaganist of the book is Trudi Montag. Trudi is born a Zwerge - a dwarf - between the two World Wars. Her difference... Read Full Review

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The story is woven into a rich and vibrant fabric. There are those who would criticize it as an apology for German attrocities and compare that time in history to our VietNam war. Not the same. VietNam was brought to us in living color every night on every TV in every home. Telecommunication in Europe in the '40s was a lot slower and during that time in Germany... Read Full Review