Since Trudi is a dwarf, I thought it would be nice to learn more about the conditions and symptoms of dwarfism and what it is. The link below gives more information on the different kinds of dwarves and their medical conditions.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dwarfism/DS01012/DSECTION=symptoms
Monday, February 16, 2009
More About Bullying
In this book, Trudi gets bullied by other children and adults. I think it's important that everyone should be treated equally and with respect. That's why I chose the following link to include in this post. It talks about bullying and how to know if you are a bully or being bullied. It offers help and also has some cool games.
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/teens/
http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/teens/
Archetypal Settings and Events
The hardships that Trudi had to face, such as her mother and her many friends that died, could be seen as rites of initiation. At some point in our lives, we all experience that same feeling and emotion. Her journey could be how she finds herself and accepts her heighth.
The sea represents the chaos of the war and the deaths that have occurred.
The sea represents the chaos of the war and the deaths that have occurred.
Archetypes
The main character, Trudi, would have to be a seeker. She lives her life trying to find her true being. Trudi always wanted to be normal like other people, but came to love her difference. She could also be seen as an innocent because she found who she really was by accident after many years of trying to be normal.
The unknown benefactor, Emil Hesping, could be seen as a caregiver because he helped families in time of need. When somebody needed something, he was always there to give a secret gift that would help.
Leo and Trudi could also be seen as heroes. They helped to hide fugitives from the Nazis in times of need. They fed and sheltered them, even though they were risking their own lives in the process.
Hitler could be seen as a hero or a villian; depending on which way you look at it. Some believe he was doing good by providing new jobs and providing food for the people, but others see him as a villain because he is cruel and a killer.
The unknown benefactor, Emil Hesping, could be seen as a caregiver because he helped families in time of need. When somebody needed something, he was always there to give a secret gift that would help.
Leo and Trudi could also be seen as heroes. They helped to hide fugitives from the Nazis in times of need. They fed and sheltered them, even though they were risking their own lives in the process.
Hitler could be seen as a hero or a villian; depending on which way you look at it. Some believe he was doing good by providing new jobs and providing food for the people, but others see him as a villain because he is cruel and a killer.
Judgement
I thought this book was pretty good, although I was often depressed throughout it. The things that happened in the book were real things that were actually happening during this time all throughout World War I and World War II. I recommend this book to readers that are not easily depressed and like survival/war stories. I, personally, was very sad when I read it, but it helped me to appreciate who I am and where I live. I'm glad that I don't have to live with the struggles and discrimination that Trudi had to live with.
Best and Worst Parts
There are many good and bad things about this book. The best part about it is that, I think, everyone can relate to it in some way. During our lives we all lose someone that is very near and dear to us. It helps us to appreciate our lives as they are now because things have changed since the early 1900's. We are judged less on appearances and more on personality. There isn't as much racial conflict, and that helps to appreciate the story and how things were.
There are also many bad parts about this book. There are so many deaths and discrimination. I, often times, felt that America was fighting fire with fire. They were supposed to be helping the people and treat them with respect, but sometimes they could be cruel. I felt like that every time I got close to a character, they died. It was a rather depressing book.
There are also many bad parts about this book. There are so many deaths and discrimination. I, often times, felt that America was fighting fire with fire. They were supposed to be helping the people and treat them with respect, but sometimes they could be cruel. I felt like that every time I got close to a character, they died. It was a rather depressing book.
Conflict and Resolution
The conflict in this book would have to be the fact that Trudi is a dwarf. She is treated differently than other people, and this angers her. She lives her life trying to find a way to fit in, but, instead, finds a way to love who she is; different. She takes her life experiences and learns from them helping her to cope with her size. She finally meets a man that she falls in love with and who truly loves her back. He loves her for what's inside; not her appearance.
Character Development
Trudi experienced many changes during her lifetime. She was always an outcast because of her size and knew that she was judged based on conformity. She hated children when they wouldn't include her in games. She would plot revenge against them and then hate herself for it. Once she made friends, she became a much happier person, but once they betrayed her she would loathe them and make elaborate stories to hurt them in some way. That one fateful day in the barn, with the four boys, changed her life in so many ways. Not only was she vengeful, but she learned to take that experience and turn it into something good. It helped her realize that she was a person to and they knew it. She also learned that you have to take the bad things that happen life. Without them, life would be full of lies and you would never learn how to react in the future. Her dwarfism made her strong.
500 Page Update!
Now, Klaus' wife, Jutta, was pregnant. She had a girl that they named Hanna. Trudi came to love the girl so much and wished she was her own. She offered to take care of little Hanna while Jutta did her painting. Trudi was always sad that she could never have a child of her own with Max gone, and Trudi's father realized this. He did not like that she became so close with Hanna, so Trudi decided to keep some distance between them.
Trudi's father was getting rather old and weak. Trudi did most of the work in the pay library while he read. He was constantly in pain and the doctor had to come over daily to give him shots. One day, Trudi cooked him a very nice meal. He died the following day. His funeral was the largest funeral Trudi had ever been to, and she had been to many. So many people admired her father and his bravery. He was a kind man that everybody liked. Trudi lived the rest of her life with her memories of him.
Trudi's father was getting rather old and weak. Trudi did most of the work in the pay library while he read. He was constantly in pain and the doctor had to come over daily to give him shots. One day, Trudi cooked him a very nice meal. He died the following day. His funeral was the largest funeral Trudi had ever been to, and she had been to many. So many people admired her father and his bravery. He was a kind man that everybody liked. Trudi lived the rest of her life with her memories of him.
450 Page Update!
People always told Trudi to focus on the positive things in life and it's not good to dwell on the things that were terrible, but it's not like Trudi liked to bring about terrible things, but she understood that no one could escape the responsibility of having lived in this time.
Georg returned from the war. During this point in his life, he had a wife and two twin daughters. He drank heavily and gambled his life away, but he was still a good man at heart. In fact, all four of the boys that abused Trudi when she was a little girl were still alive, and she felt suffocated.
America had been involved in the war trying to help, but some felt that they treated every German as if they were Hitler. They were kind on occasion.
Trudi and Max's relationship was strong. They decided they would go visit his aunt in another town, but then Trudi's father got sick and she decided to stay home with him. She told Max to go on ahead without her. Trudi did not know that this would be the last time she would see her lover. There had been a firebombing and she was sure he was dead. She waited for many years for him to return to her, but he never came. She was always making up new stories to console herself.
Now that the war was over and many people dead or missing, it was hard for things to resume as they were, but over time things would become normal again.
This time after the war also brought about other bad things. Ingrid returned with her two small children and was a widow. She thought she was the "sin" for having children. One day she sprayed them with holy water and she threw her oldest daughter into the river which killed her. She tried to throw her other daughter in the river, but someone grabbed her and saved her. Ingrid was sent to a hospital and died a week later. Ingrid's parents took care of the remaining daughter.
Georg returned from the war. During this point in his life, he had a wife and two twin daughters. He drank heavily and gambled his life away, but he was still a good man at heart. In fact, all four of the boys that abused Trudi when she was a little girl were still alive, and she felt suffocated.
America had been involved in the war trying to help, but some felt that they treated every German as if they were Hitler. They were kind on occasion.
Trudi and Max's relationship was strong. They decided they would go visit his aunt in another town, but then Trudi's father got sick and she decided to stay home with him. She told Max to go on ahead without her. Trudi did not know that this would be the last time she would see her lover. There had been a firebombing and she was sure he was dead. She waited for many years for him to return to her, but he never came. She was always making up new stories to console herself.
Now that the war was over and many people dead or missing, it was hard for things to resume as they were, but over time things would become normal again.
This time after the war also brought about other bad things. Ingrid returned with her two small children and was a widow. She thought she was the "sin" for having children. One day she sprayed them with holy water and she threw her oldest daughter into the river which killed her. She tried to throw her other daughter in the river, but someone grabbed her and saved her. Ingrid was sent to a hospital and died a week later. Ingrid's parents took care of the remaining daughter.
400 Page Update!
Trudi and her father continued to house people for several months. Trudi met many wonderful people that she would never forget. She found it easy to lie to the police, but, afterward, she would shake uncontrollably because she knew all their lives were in danger.
Eva's husband, Alexander, would not talk to anybody after his wife was taken away. He kept to himself. Trudi always went to talk to him, but he would never see her or anyone else.
During this year, Matthias, one of Trudi's piano pupils, invited her to one of his recitals. She always loved listening to the piano, so she and her father were excited to go. She was irritated by the flag, the uniforms, and the anthem of the Germans that were there. They were rude and talked during the recital. During the intermission, Trudi said she would enjoy the recital without the flag and the anthem. She was overheard by one of the men, and once the playing started again, she was taken from the building and jailed for several weeks. She was only released after she told one policeman the story about being a dwarf and how she was the same as everybody else on the inside, just different on the outside. Everyone was amazed that they had let her go, but Trudi was always good at telling stories and manipulating people.
Max also came by to see Trudi again. This time she agreed to have dinner with him. She didn't want to believe that he was only drawn to her because she was different. He told her that he admired her strength. They fell for each other fast.
Eva's husband, Alexander, would not talk to anybody after his wife was taken away. He kept to himself. Trudi always went to talk to him, but he would never see her or anyone else.
During this year, Matthias, one of Trudi's piano pupils, invited her to one of his recitals. She always loved listening to the piano, so she and her father were excited to go. She was irritated by the flag, the uniforms, and the anthem of the Germans that were there. They were rude and talked during the recital. During the intermission, Trudi said she would enjoy the recital without the flag and the anthem. She was overheard by one of the men, and once the playing started again, she was taken from the building and jailed for several weeks. She was only released after she told one policeman the story about being a dwarf and how she was the same as everybody else on the inside, just different on the outside. Everyone was amazed that they had let her go, but Trudi was always good at telling stories and manipulating people.
Max also came by to see Trudi again. This time she agreed to have dinner with him. She didn't want to believe that he was only drawn to her because she was different. He told her that he admired her strength. They fell for each other fast.
350 Page Update!
At this time, Ingrid is off in another town teaching.
Many Jewish families were being relocated; many of them being Trudi's close friends. They would leave and then nobody would know what if they were still alive or dead.
After about nine months of waiting, Max Rudnick returned to see Trudi. Although she insists she does not want to see him or think about him, she secretly does. He asks her to go for a walk, and she turns him down. He leaves and comes back awhile later. He asks Trudi to dinner, and, again, she refuses. Secretly she was delighted with the invitation. He leaves again.
Then one day Trudi finds a woman and her son hiding in the earth nest that her mother used to hide in. Trudi tells them that they can trust her and her father and they want to help. They let them into the house and fed them. Over time, Trudi came to be really close to the boy, Konrad. She wishes that he were her own son. Times are really starting to change, and the mother and son were not going to be safe if they didn't have an escape route in the house, so they built an underground tunnel that led from their house to their neighbor's house. They stayed there for several weeks until Eva came to hide there. Soon it was time for the mother and son to hide elsewhere. They left and Eva remained. Eventually she needed to go home to see her husband, and when she got there, she was taken away by the Gestapo. Her husband was heartbroken.
Many Jewish families were being relocated; many of them being Trudi's close friends. They would leave and then nobody would know what if they were still alive or dead.
After about nine months of waiting, Max Rudnick returned to see Trudi. Although she insists she does not want to see him or think about him, she secretly does. He asks her to go for a walk, and she turns him down. He leaves and comes back awhile later. He asks Trudi to dinner, and, again, she refuses. Secretly she was delighted with the invitation. He leaves again.
Then one day Trudi finds a woman and her son hiding in the earth nest that her mother used to hide in. Trudi tells them that they can trust her and her father and they want to help. They let them into the house and fed them. Over time, Trudi came to be really close to the boy, Konrad. She wishes that he were her own son. Times are really starting to change, and the mother and son were not going to be safe if they didn't have an escape route in the house, so they built an underground tunnel that led from their house to their neighbor's house. They stayed there for several weeks until Eva came to hide there. Soon it was time for the mother and son to hide elsewhere. They left and Eva remained. Eventually she needed to go home to see her husband, and when she got there, she was taken away by the Gestapo. Her husband was heartbroken.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
300 Page Update!
In these fifty pages, it shows how the Jews are starting to be treated. If you were simply being polite to a Jew, you would go to jail. Their houses would be burned down or broken into. One of Trudi's neighbors was beaten up. Many were taken to investigate, and they never returned. Trudi is starting to see the evil in the world. She is upset because she knows these people who are doing harm to others. She's known them all her life. Trudi, and her father, hide their friends' belongings in their basement until they come back for them. They turn down no one. Helmut Eberhardt and Hilde Sommer get married; Helmut is one of many men that idolizes Hitler. He has hurt many people. Helmut turns his own mother in to the Gestapo because she will not give her house to him. His wife, Hilde, loves him so much, but she does not like how he treats other people. Helmut goes off to war, and Hilde has their son. She names him Adolf to please her husband, but she secretly calls him Adi and hides the portrait of Hitler until he comes back home to visit.
At this time, Klaus has been engaged for nine years. At the last minute, he leaves his soon-to-be wife and marries another woman that is half his age. Trudi is still very jealous, but she loses all jealousy when she sees them walking down the street with their arms linked; she is finally able to let Klaus go. Instead, she answers a personals ad, again, and meets with a man named Max Rudnick. He takes her home and returns a week later to borrow a library book, but Trudi waits for him to return the book as his library fine mounts.
300 down. 225 to go.
At this time, Klaus has been engaged for nine years. At the last minute, he leaves his soon-to-be wife and marries another woman that is half his age. Trudi is still very jealous, but she loses all jealousy when she sees them walking down the street with their arms linked; she is finally able to let Klaus go. Instead, she answers a personals ad, again, and meets with a man named Max Rudnick. He takes her home and returns a week later to borrow a library book, but Trudi waits for him to return the book as his library fine mounts.
300 down. 225 to go.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
250 Page Update!
Hitler is really starting to influence the young people of Germany. For one boy, it meant death. He hung himself in his closet because his parents would not let him join the Hitler-Jugend. Even when Trudi and Ingrid went to the movie, it discriminated people that were "inferior" to the Germans. It made Trudi sick. She also witnessed several boys push a woman down after she had scolded them for taunting an old Jewish man. She couldn't believe that they weren't ashamed. Trudi witnessed another cruel crime in front of Frau Weiler's grocery store. Six boys had stoned a little girl and Frau Weiler grabbed her broom and pounded whatever she could get of their bodies. The next morning she was arrested for attacking six children for one whole week.
At this point, Klaus was seeing a teacher that was his own age. Trudi is stunned and jealous. She had been answering marriage ads in the newspaper to see what men looked for in women. To see how closely these men resembled the way they had advertised themselves, Trudi answered two ads and arranged a meeting. They were both older and their impatience and discomfort seemed strange to her. She felt good about herself when they fussed over their maroon handkerchiefs; the way she would recognize them. Slowly her love for Klaus was turning into hate.
At this point, Klaus was seeing a teacher that was his own age. Trudi is stunned and jealous. She had been answering marriage ads in the newspaper to see what men looked for in women. To see how closely these men resembled the way they had advertised themselves, Trudi answered two ads and arranged a meeting. They were both older and their impatience and discomfort seemed strange to her. She felt good about herself when they fussed over their maroon handkerchiefs; the way she would recognize them. Slowly her love for Klaus was turning into hate.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
200 Page Update!
After Trudi's encounter with the boys, she was traumatized. She found it hard to eat, and she couldn't sleep. Trudi rarely left the house.
Then comes Hitler. He leaves the whole town dazed with his speeches. As Trudi looks up at him, she sees that he wants their belief without doubt; something she has resisted since first grade. Everyone was elated about his promise of new jobs and a superior race.
With Eva out of the way, it was time for Trudi to get a new friend, so she got one. Ingrid Baum was a year younger than Trudi and wanted to become a missionary. They became best friends. Trudi became aware of Ingrid and her beauty when she first met Klaus Malter. He was a gorgeous man that had eyes for Ingrid. The three of them always hung out as a group. He was a dentist and had his office across the street from Truid's home/pay-library.
That spring, in 1933, many books became forbidden. Trudi and her father had to hide many of the books in the pay-library in order to avoid arrest.
This year the circus came again and four years after that. Trudi always looked for Pia, the dwarf, but she was never there.
Oh my goodness. Trudi's first kiss. It happened unexpectedly with Klaus Malter. She didn't even realize what had she had given up until later that night. That same night she became reacquainted with Eva and her boyfriend, Alexander. Their relationship would soon become important when Jews were no longer able to marry Germans (Eva is a Jew). They got engaged soon after.
To Trudi's disappointment, Klaus seemed to pay little attention to her. In fact, he avoided her whenever possible. He even asked Eva to a dance, but she turned him down.
Then the Nazis came upon Burgdorf. Many were happy with Hitler, but others were disgusted. Trudi and her father do not trust him. They had many close friends that are discriminated against.
200 pages down. 325 to go.
To Trudi's disappointment, Klaus seemed to pay little attention to her. In fact, he avoided her whenever possible. He even asked Eva to a dance, but she turned him down.
Then comes Hitler. He leaves the whole town dazed with his speeches. As Trudi looks up at him, she sees that he wants their belief without doubt; something she has resisted since first grade. Everyone was elated about his promise of new jobs and a superior race.
With Eva out of the way, it was time for Trudi to get a new friend, so she got one. Ingrid Baum was a year younger than Trudi and wanted to become a missionary. They became best friends. Trudi became aware of Ingrid and her beauty when she first met Klaus Malter. He was a gorgeous man that had eyes for Ingrid. The three of them always hung out as a group. He was a dentist and had his office across the street from Truid's home/pay-library.
That spring, in 1933, many books became forbidden. Trudi and her father had to hide many of the books in the pay-library in order to avoid arrest.
This year the circus came again and four years after that. Trudi always looked for Pia, the dwarf, but she was never there.
Oh my goodness. Trudi's first kiss. It happened unexpectedly with Klaus Malter. She didn't even realize what had she had given up until later that night. That same night she became reacquainted with Eva and her boyfriend, Alexander. Their relationship would soon become important when Jews were no longer able to marry Germans (Eva is a Jew). They got engaged soon after.
To Trudi's disappointment, Klaus seemed to pay little attention to her. In fact, he avoided her whenever possible. He even asked Eva to a dance, but she turned him down.
Then the Nazis came upon Burgdorf. Many were happy with Hitler, but others were disgusted. Trudi and her father do not trust him. They had many close friends that are discriminated against.
200 pages down. 325 to go.
To Trudi's disappointment, Klaus seemed to pay little attention to her. In fact, he avoided her whenever possible. He even asked Eva to a dance, but she turned him down.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
150 Page Update!
Although trudi is ignored by Eva at school, Eva still comes over almost every day to play with Trudi and Seehund. During one of these outings, Trudi and Eva discuss their future occupations. Eva wants to be a doctor while Trudi want to be a teacher. Trudi was told by her teacher that she could never be a teacher because she was too short and the children would never respect her. Eva told her that she could be anything that she wanted to be. On one of their outings, Seehund encounters a bird in his path. He takes it in his jaw and kills it. This greatly upsets the girls, so they take it to be stuffed and add it to Eva's collection of stuffed birds.
At school, Eva is shunned by the other girls. Now that Eva was an outcast, she tried to fit in again by not choosing Trudi to be on her team. She refused to let Trudi join in, so, to take revenge, Trudi tells everyone about Eva's secret mark on her chest. For this short period of time, they pretended to be her friends.
At this time, Trudi takes notice of a boy in her class, Hans-Jurgen, that is always in trouble. She can see rage in his eyes much like her own. After she notices this, she and Eva enter his family's big barn to see the new litter of kittens. Hans-Jurgen steals one of them and pretends it is a bird. He takes it up by its tail and whirls it around in circles until he lets go. The kitten hits the wall and immediately dies. Evan and trudi were horrified.
During this year, a carnival comes to Burgdorf. In this carnival is a dwarf women elaborately dressed. Trudi has never seen anyone else like her before and takes great interest in her. Trudi is called down to be the dwarf woman's assistant. Her name is Pia, and Trudi is greatly intrigued by her. They make up a fantasy world filled with waterfalls where all their people live. After the show, Trudi goes to her trailor to learn more about other dwarves. Pia says that one day Trudi will understand how to comfort herself, but for now to take comfort in knowing there are other people out there just like them.
When Trudi was thirteen, she came across a pivotal moment in her life. After one day of swimming, she encounters her old friend Georg with three of his other friends; one including the mischievous boy, Hans-Jurgen. They find that she was spying on them and take her back to Hans-Jurgen's barn. There they explore her differences. Trudi lashes out at Seehund because she is ashamed.
150 pages down. 375 to go.
At school, Eva is shunned by the other girls. Now that Eva was an outcast, she tried to fit in again by not choosing Trudi to be on her team. She refused to let Trudi join in, so, to take revenge, Trudi tells everyone about Eva's secret mark on her chest. For this short period of time, they pretended to be her friends.
At this time, Trudi takes notice of a boy in her class, Hans-Jurgen, that is always in trouble. She can see rage in his eyes much like her own. After she notices this, she and Eva enter his family's big barn to see the new litter of kittens. Hans-Jurgen steals one of them and pretends it is a bird. He takes it up by its tail and whirls it around in circles until he lets go. The kitten hits the wall and immediately dies. Evan and trudi were horrified.
During this year, a carnival comes to Burgdorf. In this carnival is a dwarf women elaborately dressed. Trudi has never seen anyone else like her before and takes great interest in her. Trudi is called down to be the dwarf woman's assistant. Her name is Pia, and Trudi is greatly intrigued by her. They make up a fantasy world filled with waterfalls where all their people live. After the show, Trudi goes to her trailor to learn more about other dwarves. Pia says that one day Trudi will understand how to comfort herself, but for now to take comfort in knowing there are other people out there just like them.
When Trudi was thirteen, she came across a pivotal moment in her life. After one day of swimming, she encounters her old friend Georg with three of his other friends; one including the mischievous boy, Hans-Jurgen. They find that she was spying on them and take her back to Hans-Jurgen's barn. There they explore her differences. Trudi lashes out at Seehund because she is ashamed.
150 pages down. 375 to go.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
100 Page Update!
This was an intersting fifty pages. Trudi turns four and her aunt Helene and cousin Robert come to visit from America. Trudi sits Robert down and they both look into the mirror. She notices the Montag chins and foreheads and the silver-blonde hair. She also notices Robert's high stature. She believes that one day she will grow to be his size and continues to want to follow in his path. Because she idolizes Robert, she wants to take up the piano so that she can be like him. All the while Robert was thoughtful and accommodating. He followed her wherever she went. Trudi had never had a real friend before. She was upset when they had to go back to America because she no longer had anyone to talk to besides her father. That was until she took notice of her neighbor Georg. Georg Weiler was the boy next door. He was forced to wear girl's clothing and his hair long because his mother had wanted a girl. For this, he was never part of a group and the children never wanted to play with him. From that day on, they always played together; the two children that had never fit in.
That year also brought thick rain which brought upon Georg's father's death. He had drowned and nobody had even heard a splash. Though Trudi had realized her mother would come back, Georg still believed his father would return back to him. Later in life Georg would become a liar, but he would never lie to Trudi.
This part of the book also brought changes for Georg. He insisted that Trudi cut his hair short. She did it with hesitation. This angered Georg's mother, but Leo Montag said that it was about time that he had cut his hair like a man. Georg's mother couldn't argue, and from that day on, Trudi and Georg's relationship would never be the same. Georg would be able to fit in, but Trudi would still be a dwarf.
This year was also Trudi's first year of school. The girls would never let her join in their games, and this infuriated Trudi. She would fight tears and would think of ways to take revenge. She called them bad names in her mind, and she felt ashamed of herself. Leo felt sorry for his daughter and bought her a new puppy. This puppy would become one of Trudi's best friends. She named him Seehund, meaning seal. This puppy also helped her to befriend a girl named Eva. Eva never wanted to be seen walking with Trudi and Seehund, so they stayed close to Trudi's home. Trudi thought that things would change at school with her new friend, but Eva continued to ignore her. Trudi felt hurt and betrayed.
100 pages down. 425 pages to go.
That year also brought thick rain which brought upon Georg's father's death. He had drowned and nobody had even heard a splash. Though Trudi had realized her mother would come back, Georg still believed his father would return back to him. Later in life Georg would become a liar, but he would never lie to Trudi.
This part of the book also brought changes for Georg. He insisted that Trudi cut his hair short. She did it with hesitation. This angered Georg's mother, but Leo Montag said that it was about time that he had cut his hair like a man. Georg's mother couldn't argue, and from that day on, Trudi and Georg's relationship would never be the same. Georg would be able to fit in, but Trudi would still be a dwarf.
This year was also Trudi's first year of school. The girls would never let her join in their games, and this infuriated Trudi. She would fight tears and would think of ways to take revenge. She called them bad names in her mind, and she felt ashamed of herself. Leo felt sorry for his daughter and bought her a new puppy. This puppy would become one of Trudi's best friends. She named him Seehund, meaning seal. This puppy also helped her to befriend a girl named Eva. Eva never wanted to be seen walking with Trudi and Seehund, so they stayed close to Trudi's home. Trudi thought that things would change at school with her new friend, but Eva continued to ignore her. Trudi felt hurt and betrayed.
100 pages down. 425 pages to go.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Getting Started (first 50 pages)
The beginning of the book takes place from 1915-1920 in Burgdorf, Germany. We are introduced to Leo and Gertrud Montag. Leo has just arrived home early from the first World War and is reunited with his wife Gertrud. Nine months later they have a baby girl named Trudi (short for Gertrud). Trudi is not a normal child. She was born a Zwerg, or dwarf. For this, her mother refuses to look, or even touch, her own daughter. As time progresses, Gertrud slowly becomes crazy and hides herself in a "nest" under the house. The only time she could be coaxed out was when Leo made her hold Trudi. From that day, Trudi was the only person that could lure her out. Because Gertrud kept running away, they had to lock her up in a room upstairs. One of the doctors suggested that they take her to an asylum. Leo refused, but later had to resort back to this idea. Several years pass while Gertrude goes from the asylum back to her home. Before she goes back to the asylum, for the last time, she tells Trudi that when she comes back things will be much better between them. She never got the chance. Gertrud dies there and Trudi won't accept that fact. To occupy her time, Trudi continues to pray for her growth and hangs from the door frame. At night, she wraps her head to keep it from growing. She longs to be a normal person with long limbs that grow tall instead of wide.
50 pages down. 475 to go.
50 pages down. 475 to go.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Reading History
Who doesn't love reading, honestly? If you don't like to read, well, that's just silly. You should be punished. No, I'm just joking, but I do love to read. I spend most of my time immersed in the text of a good book. There are so many good books out there. Indian Killer and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, written by Sherman Alexie, were the best books I have read so far this year. Indian Killer is highly suspensful and dark while The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is hilarious and comical. I think it only took me three days to read Indian Killer and two days to read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. I couldn't put them down. I highly recommend them for anyone to read.
There aren't very many books that I don't like. Once I start reading something I have to finish it, no matter how bad it is. One of the worst books that I have ever read was The Scarlet Letter. It probably wouldn't have been a bad book if I had been able to understand it. There were too many symbols and hidden meanings, and I often found myself drifting away. I am also very angry at New Moon right now.
My favorite place to read must be in my room, on the bed, curled up in a blankie. It's so cozy and it gives me warm fuzzies.
There aren't very many books that I don't like. Once I start reading something I have to finish it, no matter how bad it is. One of the worst books that I have ever read was The Scarlet Letter. It probably wouldn't have been a bad book if I had been able to understand it. There were too many symbols and hidden meanings, and I often found myself drifting away. I am also very angry at New Moon right now.
My favorite place to read must be in my room, on the bed, curled up in a blankie. It's so cozy and it gives me warm fuzzies.
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