Dora Bruder

We discussed a fascinating book this week, Dora Bruder by Patrick Modiano (any of my AP students, you may be getting this book to read). Modiano is an archivist and historian who has written extensively on many aspects of history. The book/novel (this concept is debated) is personal journey for Modiano. He was reading an article in Paris Soir from 1941 and he stumbles onto a small advertisement imploring the public's help in finding a girl named Dora Bruder. Her parents, Ernest and Cecile put this piece in the newspaper in order to find their daughter. They had attempted to hide her in a Catholic school that boarded students, although she was a young Jewish girl, her parents believed that she may be safer there.

Modiano spins a tale of trying to find information about Dora and her past. He spends years going through long-forgotten documents and books to find more about this young girl who seemingly disappeared off of the face of the earth. As he begins to piece together small tidbits of her life, he weaves his own life experiences into those of Dora's. As you read the book, you want to know more about this girl. It is eventually discovered that Dora does make it back home but is eventually deported to Auschwitz where she perishes. Modiano discovers additional information about her life but many details of her life remain private. Modiano contends that these most precious parts of Dora remained her own and unknown to the public. I read this book and it required me to reflect a great deal.

Modiano gave a voice to this one young girl, therefore Dora will not be forgotten. How many millions of others will go on into the great unknown never had the opportunity to regain their voices. How interesting it must be to put together what was a very scattered jigsaw puzzle, known as Dora Bruder's life. A great read, check it out!