Customer Reviews

Bright Valley of Love

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The story of Gunther, abandoned and abused by his family, finding a place of love and safety among Christians who care for all is so moving. The story is told from Gunther's perspective as he grapples with rejection and feelings of worthlessness. Pastor Fritz's love for him as well as all the others is remarkable. The whole community embraces those society rejects. All of this takes place during Nazi Germany when the Nazis are killing all who don't measure up. Yet Pastor Fritz, through prayer and courage, protects them all.

This is a book that I have read and reread. It was one we read at the dinner table and discussed. If you can locate the book, it is a "must read".

With so many mediocre books available, it's a shame that Edna Hong's Bright Valley of Love [see the other reviews] is not being marketed. I have read parts of the book to students and both they and I are always moved by the grace and the tragedy of Gunther's story. Edna Hong's [who has translated Kierkegaard into English] book is too valuable to be out of print.

This story centres around Gunther, a German boy crippled from rickets during World War I, who is sent to Bethel, a Christian colony near Bielefeld, by his father and grandmother. It tells of his experiences and education, and his relationships with the other children; the emotional strains of entering adulthood; and the unique personalities of the pastors, including one bearded pastor who constantly plays hymns appropriate to the situation on the trumpet he carries around with him. There is a particularly moving episode about the death of Kurt, a severely epileptic child, at Christmas. Near the end is the account of how, during World War II, the leader of the community makes contact with Hitler's personal doctor and, while the community prays, spends hours eloquently giving reasons why the unique and responsive disabled children should be saved from death under the Nazis' economy plans; the doctor is sufficiently moved to exempt the community from extermination.

Well worth reading - my only reservation is how many of the minor incidents actually happened - the broader story is true, and Gunther was a real person who the author met, but the conversations are invented. But it's a very moving book and a good, thought-provoking read.

hey, review the book, but don't give the whole story away!(:
I haven't found a book that moves me more, that shows God's love for all~walked out here on earth, through true servants of God!
Amazing!!