What a charming story although it is sad in so many ways. It is based on actual events. The reader gains insight into how the German people felt when the bombs of the Allies fell on them and their cities. The tenderness of this story helps us understand how cruel war can be as well as the people who promote and continue it to its end. The tale emphasizes how the innocents who wish just to live their lives suffer from its effects.
I fell in love with the family. Mutti is the mother who is a pacifist until she sees the bombs falling on her beloved city, destroying her home and all the places she loved. Lizzie, her daughter, is the teenager whose heart yearns for life as it once was and lashes out when it isn't. Karli, her son, loves life and demonstrates that love with his charm, juggling and faith in those around him until he almost betrays the family. Peter, the RAF navigator, is less defined as a character but his courage leads the family away from the horror of bombs. And, who could not love the elephant, Marlene.
For me, the author's explanation about how this story came to be is most poignant. I love reading about the inspiration and ideas that prompt an author to write such wonderful stories. It is so well done that I gave it five stars while it may not merit a rating that high it certainly merits more than four. I loved this read and need to search out more work by this author.
I fell in love with the family. Mutti is the mother who is a pacifist until she sees the bombs falling on her beloved city, destroying her home and all the places she loved. Lizzie, her daughter, is the teenager whose heart yearns for life as it once was and lashes out when it isn't. Karli, her son, loves life and demonstrates that love with his charm, juggling and faith in those around him until he almost betrays the family. Peter, the RAF navigator, is less defined as a character but his courage leads the family away from the horror of bombs. And, who could not love the elephant, Marlene.
For me, the author's explanation about how this story came to be is most poignant. I love reading about the inspiration and ideas that prompt an author to write such wonderful stories. It is so well done that I gave it five stars while it may not merit a rating that high it certainly merits more than four. I loved this read and need to search out more work by this author.
