Book cover of Stones from the River

Book description

An epic novel charting the course of German history in the first half of the twentieth century follows Trudi Montag, a dwarf who serves as her town's librarian, unofficial historian, and recorder of the secret stories of her people. 20,000 first printing.

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Why read it?

1 author picked Stones from the River as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Stones from the River imagines the life of Trudi, a girl with dwarfism, during the period of time from the end of World War I through the years of the Third Reich in the fictional town of Burgdorf, Germany.

More than anything else, Trudi, who is raised by a loving, understanding father and basks in the warmth of others in her small town, wishes to grow. As a child and a young woman she spends hours each day in futile attempts to lengthen her body, ultimately coming to the realization that she will always be who she is.

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