This short novel revisits the German village of Burgdorf, so memorably portrayed in Hegi’s Stones from the river, and features many of the characters who people the earlier book. Set on a single day, February 27, 1934, the first anniversary of the burning of the Reichstag, the book also flashes back in time to earlier events which have set the stage for what will happen on this day in the small town. Thekla Jansen is a gifted young teacher of a class of fourth grade boys. She is delighted to be working after waiting many years to practice her profession during the massive unemployment in Germany following its defeat in World War I. However her joy has a cost: she has replaced her own beloved teacher, who has lost her job because she is Jewish. Thekla buys little gifts and sets them aside to take to her, but somehow hasn’t found time to visit. Her students have been encouraged to join the Hitler-Jugend – some of them are conflicted about this membership by what they overhear from their parents, and some of what they innocently repeat could have serious repercussions. Thekla also has doubts but feels that membership in a group that offers hiking, bonfires, and comradeship has benefits that outweigh its connection to Hitler and his policies. By the end of the day, one boy’s fascination with the Hitler-Jugend will have tragic consequences and Thekla will have made a life-altering discovery about herself. How ordinary citizens got caught up in the stream bearing Germany towards the dictatorship of Hitler and the tragedy of the coming years is skillfully portrayed and thought-provoking. Which small rationalized choice is the decisive one? 272 pp.
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