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Barbara's Reviews > Dora Bruder
Dora Bruder
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4+
I love old houses with their creaking floors, antiques that were made to last forever. They speak to me of those that once lived there, paced those floors, opened those drawers. I can only imagine these prior inhabitants.There are so many unknowns, unknowns such as Modiano encountered as he walked the streets that Dora Bruder had walked. These Parisian streets held the secrets of Dora’s last year and memories of Modiano’s own troubled youth.
In 1988, Modiano discovered an ad in a 1941 edition of a Paris newspaper. The parents of Dora Bruder were looking for their 15-year-old daughter who had run away from her boarding school. Why would this rebellious Jewish girl leave the safety of her Catholic school when the streets of Paris were teeming with police controlled by Vichy France? (Why did most of us do impetuous things at that age?) The author was intrigued. Modiano had only one other clue to what happened. A record indicated that a Dora Bruder had been deported to Auschwitz in 1942. The author felt compelled to fill in the blanks.What happened in that fateful last year of her life? Modiano’s novel is an elegy to all who suffered and died during this dark period, the atrocity of the Nazi occupation, and the compliance of the Petain regime.
This is a short book with a very powerful impact. I have read many accounts of the nazi atrocities. None affected me so deeply. Dora’s most certain anguish, the disbelief she must have felt, are so heartbreaking. Modiano’s emotive writing will remain with me. Dora will never be forgotten.
I love old houses with their creaking floors, antiques that were made to last forever. They speak to me of those that once lived there, paced those floors, opened those drawers. I can only imagine these prior inhabitants.There are so many unknowns, unknowns such as Modiano encountered as he walked the streets that Dora Bruder had walked. These Parisian streets held the secrets of Dora’s last year and memories of Modiano’s own troubled youth.
In 1988, Modiano discovered an ad in a 1941 edition of a Paris newspaper. The parents of Dora Bruder were looking for their 15-year-old daughter who had run away from her boarding school. Why would this rebellious Jewish girl leave the safety of her Catholic school when the streets of Paris were teeming with police controlled by Vichy France? (Why did most of us do impetuous things at that age?) The author was intrigued. Modiano had only one other clue to what happened. A record indicated that a Dora Bruder had been deported to Auschwitz in 1942. The author felt compelled to fill in the blanks.What happened in that fateful last year of her life? Modiano’s novel is an elegy to all who suffered and died during this dark period, the atrocity of the Nazi occupation, and the compliance of the Petain regime.
This is a short book with a very powerful impact. I have read many accounts of the nazi atrocities. None affected me so deeply. Dora’s most certain anguish, the disbelief she must have felt, are so heartbreaking. Modiano’s emotive writing will remain with me. Dora will never be forgotten.
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Reading Progress
March 20, 2023
–
Started Reading
March 20, 2023
– Shelved
April 10, 2023
–
Finished Reading
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Jenna
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Apr 10, 2023 01:36PM
Wow, this novel must be really powerful.
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Jenna wrote: "Wow, this novel must be really powerful."It definitely was, Jenna. I appreciate your comment.
I also found this book to be extremely poignant.
Judith wrote: "A parent’s nightmare."Judith wrote: "A parent’s nightmare."
Maybe that is why it moved me so much. Thanks for commenting, Judith.
Maureen wrote: "I got a knot in my stomach just reading your review! Excellent job capturing mood and tone!"I appreciate your kind words, Maureen. I can only imagine being Jewish during those horrific years.
Was she foolish? Was she brave? It may be impossible to know the heart of an adolescent, but it seems this author has had success. Lovely review.
Linda wrote: "Powerful review."Thank you, Linda.
Anne wrote: "I also found this book to be extremely poignant."Glad we were of like minds on this one, Anne. Thanks for stopping by.
Barbara wrote: "Anne wrote: "I also found this book to be extremely poignant."Glad we were of like minds on this one, Anne. Thanks for stopping by."
Did you ever hear of The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss? Since you liked Dora Bruder you might find it similarly moving.
Barbara K. wrote: "Was she foolish? Was she brave? It may be impossible to know the heart of an adolescent, but it seems this author has had success. Lovely review."I think his reminiscing about his own life at the same age as Dora gave him a genuine understanding of her ordeal. I hope his other works will be as poignant. Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Barbara.
Oh Dora. These type of stories are always so powerful and emotional <\3. Glad it moved you so deeply. Fantastic review Barbara!
Federico wrote: "Oh Dora. These type of stories are always so powerful and emotional <\3. Glad it moved you so deeply. Fantastic review Barbara!"I appreciate your comment, Federico.
Anne wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Anne wrote: "I also found this book to be extremely poignant."Glad we were of like minds on this one, Anne. Thanks for stopping by."
Did you ever hear of [book:The Hare With Ambe..."
No, I haven't, but thanks for suggesting it. I'll look into this one. One of the benefits of being on ŷ - recommendations from trusted friends.
Great review, Barbara! Glad this one packed a punch for its length! :)
Yun wrote: "Great review, Barbara! Glad this one packed a punch for its length! :)"Thanks, Yun.
Great review Barbara. It's always a good find when it's short and yet carries a powerful impact.
So true, Annette. Thanks for comment.
Terrific review Barbara - I'm with you regarding old 'things' - houses, cars etc - I always like to think of what they've been through and what they've seen - Great to see you enjoyed this one!
Mark wrote: "Terrific review Barbara - I'm with you regarding old 'things' - houses, cars etc - I always like to think of what they've been through and what they've seen - Great to see you enjoyed this one!"Always nice to know another person who loves old things and can imagine their former lives. Thanks for your comment, Mark.
This sounds interesting Barbara. That is so sad! I cannot imagine loosing my daughter in that fashion. Such a scary time.
Thanks for not giving too much away in your review. Books like these weaken the chances of anything like this happening again, I hope.
I have the physical book on my shelf and now I'll be sure not to neglect it like many of the others! Wonderful review, Barbara :)
Beautifully written, heartfelt review that does this book great justice, Barbara. So brief a book, and so powerful its impact on the reader.
Excellent review, Barbara! I always find it so hard to read these books, but these stories are also so important. Adding!
Barbara wrote: "This sounds interesting Barbara. That is so sad! I cannot imagine loosing my daughter in that fashion. Such a scary time."Modiano's writing made it so real and that much sadder. Thanks for commenting, Barbara.
Left Coast Justin wrote: "Thanks for not giving too much away in your review. Books like these weaken the chances of anything like this happening again, I hope."I appreciate your comment, Justin. I try to be somewhat succinct in my reviews. Putin and other despots and wannabe despots make me think atrocities like this could happen again. I am usually a very optimistic person, but... I appreciate your comment.
Candi wrote: "I have the physical book on my shelf and now I'll be sure not to neglect it like many of the others! Wonderful review, Barbara :)"Modiano's approach to this horrific time was very personal which made it stand out from other books about Paris at that time. Thanks for your kind comment, Candi.
Ilse wrote: "Beautifully written, heartfelt review that does this book great justice, Barbara. So brief a book, and so powerful its impact on the reader."I couldn't agree with you more, Ilse. I really appreciate your kind words.
Cheri wrote: "Excellent review, Barbara! I always find it so hard to read these books, but these stories are also so important. Adding!"I hope it will grab you as it did me, Cheri. Enjoy it? Maybe not in the usual sense of the word, but certainly one that will stay with me for a long time. i
Excellent review, Barbara!😊 It's been a while since I read Modiano. Adding this one to my list!
Sujoya wrote: "Excellent review, Barbara!😊 It's been a while since I read Modiano. Adding this one to my list!"I am glad you are adding this one, Sujoya. Although it is very sad, it is a different approach to that horrible time. What else have your read by Modiano? This was my first, but I am anxious to explore his other books.
Beautiful review, Barbara .... I always admire authors who write a full tale having just little information ... Your recommendation is so strong that I just feel I must add this novel :))
Beata wrote: "Beautiful review, Barbara .... I always admire authors who write a full tale having just little information ... Your recommendation is so strong that I just feel I must add this novel :))"I look forward to reading your thoughts on this one, Beata. We usually like the same books, so I think you will also enjoy it. Thanks so much for your kind words.
Julie wrote: "Excellent review, Barbara!! 💖"I appreciate your comment, Julie.
What a touching review, Barbara! I enjoy antiques and old houses for the same reasons you listed. Thank you for sharing.
Kimber wrote: "What a touching review, Barbara! I enjoy antiques and old houses for the same reasons you listed. Thank you for sharing."Thanks so much for your kind words, Kimber. It is always nice to know my friends on ŷ not only enjoy the same books but also our life passions and preferences.
Love a powerful and impactful story. You captured the essence of this book so well Barbara. Excellent review 💖
