Chapter 8, Holland Again Summary and Analysis

Ruth, Albert and Marion returned to Holland, making their way to Amsterdam where Walter's cousins, Tante Gerda and Uncle Ernst de Levie lived. Marion's wound was treated and finally healed. Walter's cousins' family had managed to conceal their identity during the war. Amsterdam, despite having suffered in the war, seemed luxurious to them. And Ingrid, Tante and Ernst's daughter, seemed beautiful to Marion. Marion was self-conscious as she was still underweight, her head shaven to kill lice and who, due to weak eye muscles, was slightly cross-eyed.

However, the Blumenthals could not stay long. They were quickly transferred to a former Jewish convalescent home as a temporary shelter. Accommodations were simple but life was without fear and uncertainty. Hunger was gone. They could all bathe and Albert was Bar Mitzvahed. Ruth considered taking the family to Palestine...