Stones From The River

Author: Ursula Hegi

Reviewed By: Ashley Mondrick
Managing Editor - Success Magazines Ltd

 

I have recently made it a point to read every serendipitous book that comes into my life—gifts from acquaintances, findings at garage sales, and the ones that seem to have just mysteriously appeared on my bookshelf.
About seven years ago, I was given a tattered paperback copy of Ursula Hegi’s Stones from the River. Perhaps deterred by its daunting length, I never made it past page four. Through numerous moves between a handful of states, the dusty book followed. On several occasions I did crack it open, thumbing the pages, considering committing. But each time, life got in the way, and so the book remained—untapped.
Cleaning my bookshelf a few months back, I found Stones from the River and decided that the time was right. I would finally dive in—head first—and I would not look back. What took me seven years to procrastinate, took me seven days to read. I was completely devoted and utterly enthralled. What was once a thorn in my side had become delicate, complex, and stunning—as mystifying as a single black rose. With beautifully written passages deserving of a second read, containing ugly truths about the human condition, Stones from the River chewed at my heart and enveloped my brain.
Trudi Montag is a dwarf growing up in Burgdorf, Germany. Born to a mentally ill mother, and a father disabled in World War I, Trudi’s life is filled with angst, guilt, and an intense desire to be “normal.” Outcast by the other children in town, Trudi uses her vibrant imagination to make a place for herself in society. By embellishing the gossip and stories she hears in her father’s pay library, she becomes the town’s source for information.
With Hitler’s rise to power, these new politics infiltrate Burgdorf, severing bonds between friends and family. Because of her own innate difference, Trudi is compelled to help the now persecuted Jews. Taking great risks to right society’s wrongs and help heal a community that has been ravaged with terror, Trudi finds peace with herself. Through the intricate stories she weaves, she is able to bridge political gaps and ultimately change lives.
Stones from the River is most poignant and compelling. Ursula Hegi has created a masterfully written novel, rich with complexity. Never have I read a book so perfectly crafted as this. If you have not read it, go buy a copy today. If you have read it before, read it again. I know I will.