Murphy, Louise. The true story of Hansel and Gretel; a novel of war and survival.Penguin. 296p. c2003. 0-14-200307-7. $13.00. SA Using the framework of the famous fairy tale fairy tale Simple narrative typically of folk origin dealing with supernatural beings. Fairy tales may be written or told for the amusement of children or may have a more sophisticated narrative containing supernatural or obviously improbable events, scenes, and personages , this novel set in Poland during WW II tells of a Jewish brother and sister set out in a forest by their father and stepmother who feel their best chance for survival is to be rescued by villagers. They are told to forget their real names and use the names Hansel and Gretel Hansel and Gretel fattened up for child-eating witch. [Ger. Fairy Tale: Grimm, 56] See : Cannibalism Hansel and Gretel woodcutter’s children barely escape witch. [Ger. Fairy Tale: Grimm, 56] See : Escape . They are taken in by Magda, an old woman who is called a witch by the villagers because she lives alone in the forest and knows herbal medicine herbal medicine, use of natural plant substances (botanicals) to treat and prevent illness. The practice has existed since prehistoric times and flourishes today as the primary form of medicine for perhaps as much as 80% of the world's population. . The father and stepmother join the partisans hiding in the woods. While elements of the simple fairy tale plot hold the story together, Murphy weaves many other layers together as well: the interaction of the SS officers with the villagers, the Russians and the Poles, the Jews Jews [from Judah], traditionally, descendants of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, whose tribe, with that of his half brother Benjamin, made up the kingdom of Judah; historically, members of the worldwide community of adherents to Judaism. and the Gentiles as well as the story of the relationship of the young brother and sister who alternately take charge but also take care of each other. Focusing on this microcosm mi·cro·cosm n. A small, representative system having analogies to a larger system in constitution, configuration, or development: "He sees the auto industry as a microcosm of the U.S. of the war. Murphy brings its horrors to the reader in a personal and human way. Nola Theiss, Sanibel, FL |
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