Surviving a Horrific Tragedy

Four Perfect Pebbles is a story about a family that survived the Holocaust, so it will obviously include among its themes the struggle to survive. But having the context that surrounds the Blumenthals' time in Bergen-Belsen shows a will to survive that pervades the life of the family. The Blumenthals' story begins in Hoya, Germany with the regular business of life in 1920s Germany. When Hitler comes to power, however, things quickly take a turn for the worse. When Walter's story is boycotted, he turns to selling goods in the countryside. When the persecution of the Jews begins in earnest, the Blumenthals' protect Oma and Opa and then flee to Holland, attempting to get American visas. When their visas are put on hold, they continue to weather the difficult life in Westerbork which is transformed into a transit camp when the Nazis take over. Soon...