Summer of My German Soldier
6 journalers for this copy...
Blurb on the back:
"I'm a Jew," said Patty's father, "and I'd rather help a mad dog escape from the pound than help a Nazi."
When Patty Bergen sells a red pencil-sharpener to the German prisoner in her father's store, a friendship is started which is to bring her much unhappiness, but also the greatest joy she's ever known.
An exciting and deeply moving story of a friendship which breaks down all barriers."
A bit of a bizarre book this one. It's set in American during the Second World War. Patty is the elder Bergen child and appears to be resented by both her parents. The father appears to have a serious anger management problem and the mother is more obsessed with her looks than her daughter.
The book is rather melodramatic and reminds me of the stories I used to write when I was a kid. The book is worth a read but the adult voice keeps whispering "This situation would never really happen."
"I'm a Jew," said Patty's father, "and I'd rather help a mad dog escape from the pound than help a Nazi."
When Patty Bergen sells a red pencil-sharpener to the German prisoner in her father's store, a friendship is started which is to bring her much unhappiness, but also the greatest joy she's ever known.
An exciting and deeply moving story of a friendship which breaks down all barriers."
A bit of a bizarre book this one. It's set in American during the Second World War. Patty is the elder Bergen child and appears to be resented by both her parents. The father appears to have a serious anger management problem and the mother is more obsessed with her looks than her daughter.
The book is rather melodramatic and reminds me of the stories I used to write when I was a kid. The book is worth a read but the adult voice keeps whispering "This situation would never really happen."
I've decided to send this book out on a ring and let it see a bit of the world. I'll be posting the list of participants at the end of this week. Depending on the number of participants this bookring shall remain open.
Updated: 02/06/2004
OK, it looks like this is going out on a mini bookring and shall remain open. Because of this the posting order may change according to preference but I'll try and keep it fair to those who signed up first.
zugenia - Providence, RI - posting anywhere
White Raven13 - Sunnyvale, CA - prefers USA/Canada postage
vcrain - USA - posting anywhere
Molyneux - UK - posting anywhere
and then home to me. Usual ring rules apply.
Updated: 02/06/2004
OK, it looks like this is going out on a mini bookring and shall remain open. Because of this the posting order may change according to preference but I'll try and keep it fair to those who signed up first.
zugenia - Providence, RI - posting anywhere
White Raven13 - Sunnyvale, CA - prefers USA/Canada postage
vcrain - USA - posting anywhere
Molyneux - UK - posting anywhere
and then home to me. Usual ring rules apply.
And we're off! This book was sent in the post to zugenia a few days ago. I just forgot to journal it. Happy reading :-)
This book has arrived safely in Rhode Island! I loved this book when I was a kid, and I look forward to seeing how it holds up all these years later...
Let me begin by saying that I remembered this book making me cry and cry as a child. I didn't have a very clear memory of the whole story, just certain scenes, but for years, whenever anyone asks "What's the saddest book you've ever—" I say "Summer of My German Soldier" before they can even finish the question. My point is that I am predisposed to be moved by this story, which is, as Drucillamac says, quite melodramatic in some respects.
That said:
I began this book yesterday afternoon, and teared up at the first mention of the German soldier's name. Then I took a break to see "War of the Worlds" and have some dinner, and I returned home and sat up in bed till 2am finishing it. And I cried and cried and cried. Let me state for the record that I don't cry easily at books. But this one is devastating. It wasn't like there was one climactic moment that let me get it all out in a cathartic rush; no, it is just quietly brutal from start to finish, in this gradually mounting way. I hadn't remembered it like that. But I guess that's an appropriate way to narrate life in a small town in 1940s Arkansas.
Well. It's on to WhiteRaven13 next.
That said:
I began this book yesterday afternoon, and teared up at the first mention of the German soldier's name. Then I took a break to see "War of the Worlds" and have some dinner, and I returned home and sat up in bed till 2am finishing it. And I cried and cried and cried. Let me state for the record that I don't cry easily at books. But this one is devastating. It wasn't like there was one climactic moment that let me get it all out in a cathartic rush; no, it is just quietly brutal from start to finish, in this gradually mounting way. I hadn't remembered it like that. But I guess that's an appropriate way to narrate life in a small town in 1940s Arkansas.
Well. It's on to WhiteRaven13 next.
I've received this book, and will read it soon. I wanted to read it because the film of it I saw yea years ago was so beautiful. Of course, I want to read it *now*, and I'm supposed to be working. ;-)
I enjoyed the book every bit as much as the film. Unlike the film, it didn't make me cry, but it did make me uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I can imagine the whole back-story, the prejudice and ignorance, happening all too well.
So, time to PM the next person and send it on its merry way...
So, time to PM the next person and send it on its merry way...
rec'd today. I have one other bookring ahead of this one.
I liked this book. I am going tp pm next person on the list
sent another pm to the next person to get their address
sent tonight by air
As far as I am aware this book is currently with Molyneux due to an exchange of PMs.
I do have the book and I'm really sorry I've only just got around to journalling it.
It is rather melodramatic isnt it - but I did enjoy reading it all the same.
Thank you for sharing the ring with us - I'll post it back to you as soon as I have your address.
It is rather melodramatic isnt it - but I did enjoy reading it all the same.
Thank you for sharing the ring with us - I'll post it back to you as soon as I have your address.
This book is safely home after a successful ring. Thanks to all who took part and thank you to Molyneux for the lovely postcard and bookmark :-)
This book is being sent to another Bookcrossing as a RABCK :-)
Got the book in the post this morning. Will get onto it after i've read 3 others on my 'to-read' list.
Thanks Drusillamac x
Thanks Drusillamac x
I read this book a couple of months ago, sorry its taken me so long to write this review.
I couldn't get into the book atall, it just didn't grab me. After i'd read about 3/4s of the book i started to enjoy it but unfortunately, i wouldn't read it again.
I may release this book into the wild soon.
I couldn't get into the book atall, it just didn't grab me. After i'd read about 3/4s of the book i started to enjoy it but unfortunately, i wouldn't read it again.
I may release this book into the wild soon.