Stones from the River

infobox Book |
name = Stones from the River
title_orig =
translator =


caption =
author = Ursula Hegi
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Novel
publisher = Poseidon Press
release_date = 1994
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 509 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-671-78075-1
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Stones from the River" is the 1994 novel by Ursula Hegi, and was chosen as an Eagles selection in February of 1997. It is about a dwarf named Trudi Montag who tries to survive in a small town during World War II.

Plot summary

Trudi Montag is a "Zwerg"--a dwarf. Born to a mentally disturbed woman who dies when Trudi is a small child, the girl reaches adulthood under the loving care of her father, a pay-librarian in a small German town. (A pay-librarian is one who runs a library as a business and charges the patrons to borrow books.) Trudi is angry, deeply resentful of her "difference," and she uses her unique status in a variety of ways, both helpful and vengeful toward others.

For example, Trudi tells stories, some of which enchant and comfort frightened children during the war, others of which harm the lives and personal security of the townsfolk whom the story teller doesn't like. World War II comes and goes in Burgdorf; Trudi finds and loses romantic love; her father dies; and she begins, at the end of the tale, to reflect on the ways in which she has contributed to her own suffering and that of the others.

Awards and nominations

The Novel was nominated for a PEN/Faulkner award.It was chosen as an Oprah's book club selection in February of 1997.