testsuphomeAdmin

    Stories 167
    Chapters 9,217
    Words 23.6 M
    Comments 0
    Reading 81 days, 23 hours81 d, 23 h
    • Down Six Flights Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Marie-Laure, a blind girl, emerging from hiding after a bombing raid. She carefully retrieves a precious stone hidden in a model house and pockets it, aware of the ongoing danger. The aftermath of the attack is palpable—debris litters the roof, and the smell of smoke fills the air. Marie-Laure moves cautiously through her home, navigating by touch and memory, her urgency underscored by the distant explosions and the chilling realization that the city is still under fire. Her…
    • Saint-Malo Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Saint-Malo" vividly depicts the devastating aftermath of a bombing raid on the historic city. The opening scene describes the sheer force of the attack, with doors torn from their frames, bricks reduced to powder, and clouds of debris filling the sky. The bombers have already retreated by the time the destruction fully unfolds, leaving the city in chaos. The imagery of roof slates raining down underscores the sudden and overwhelming nature of the devastation, setting a tone of irreversible…
    • Herr Siedler Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a tense scene at Children’s House, where Werner and his sister Jutta are interrupted by a lance corporal’s unexpected visit after curfew. The imposing figure, adorned with a swastika armband and pistol, exudes hostility as he inspects the modest living space. Werner fears his hidden shortwave radio has been discovered, but the corporal instead demands his repair skills. Frau Elena, visibly shaken, instructs Werner to accompany the man, leaving Jutta anxiously watching from the…
    • Exodus Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Exodus" depicts the chaotic evacuation of Parisians as Marie-Laure and her father join the desperate westward exodus. After failed attempts to leave by train, they set out on foot amid gridlocked roads filled with vehicles, animals, and people carrying their possessions. The vivid descriptions highlight the disorder—cars with wooden axles, livestock in trailers, and pedestrians clutching valuables—painting a picture of a society in collapse. Marie-Laure, blind and vulnerable, clings to her…
    • Making Socks Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Werner waking in the middle of the night to find his younger sister, Jutta, beside his cot, engrossed in a shortwave radio and a drawing of an imagined city. Her unruly hair stands out in the dim light, adding to her intense presence. Jutta questions the purpose of the sock-making tasks assigned in her Young Girls League, to which Werner dismissively replies that the Reich needs socks for soldiers. Their conversation is interrupted by the cries of a younger boy downstairs,…
    • Flying Couch Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a tense atmosphere in Saint-Malo as the occupying forces demand the surrender of firearms. Locals reluctantly comply, turning in a meager collection of rusted weapons, which are swiftly carted away without ceremony. This scene underscores the quiet resistance and unease among the townspeople, setting the stage for the broader themes of occupation and control. Meanwhile, Marie-Laure’s father, consumed by anxiety, obsessively builds a detailed model of the town, hinting at an…
    • The Boches Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter depicts the arrival of German soldiers, referred to as "Boches," in the French town of Saint-Malo through the observations of Marie-Laure and her father. The Germans are described as impeccably dressed, their uniforms spotless, as if they’ve never seen battle. The townspeople note their voracious consumption of local goods, from postcards to champagne, while whispers of Hitler touring Paris underscore the surreal tension. Curfews and bans on music and public gatherings are imposed, leaving…
    • Jungmänner Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a vivid description of a castle-like boarding school where Werner, the protagonist, arrives to begin his training. The setting is picturesque yet austere, with strict rules enforced by a one-armed bunk master. The boys are stripped of personal possessions and individuality, molded into a uniform collective through rigorous discipline. The atmosphere is one of militaristic precision, with an emphasis on duty, sacrifice, and nationalistic fervor. Werner, though initially awed by the…
    • Vienna Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter introduces Sergeant Major Reinhold von Rumpel, a 41-year-old gemologist with a keen eye for diamonds and a meticulous nature. His personal life includes a compliant wife who collects porcelain kittens and two daughters, one of whom writes earnest letters filled with patriotic fervor. Von Rumpel’s expertise in gemology, honed through studies in crystallography and apprenticeships, has allowed him to handle rare stones, including a 92-carat raw diamond in London. His pre-war life as a…
    • Etienne Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Marie-Laure, a blind girl, discovering a trail of seashells leading to her great-uncle Etienne's room on the fifth floor. The shells, carefully placed, guide her to his door, where she hears the faint sounds of multiple pianos playing. Upon entering, she finds his room surprisingly fresh, smelling of soap and books, unlike the expected mustiness of an elderly person's space. Etienne greets her warmly, his voice soft and comforting, and apologizes for not meeting her sooner, setting…
    Note