Well I’m back from holiday, feeling refreshed and relaxed, so bring it on! I missed you all last week, and your stories. Internet connection was spasmodic to say the least. I hope you all had a good week.
In answer to Rochelle’s photo prompt this week, two stories popped into my head. I’ve gone with the stronger of the two. Thank you as always to our gracious hostess Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for her patience and unfailing encouragement.
Copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
10 May 1933
‘Come with us, it’ll be fun. We can get rid of all those books we hate.’
‘I don’t hate my books, how can you hate a book? Some are difficult to understand, but burning books, whatever are you thinking?’
‘If you don’t come, they’ll know. All students are expected to be there, they’ll give us books if we don’t bring our own. It’s time for a change; we are to be re-educated, the Propaganda Minister has said so, he will be there in person.’
Werner watched the burning with great sadness, fearing the world would never be the same again.
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Historical Note: On the night of May 10 1933, an event unseen in Europe since the Middle Ages occurred as German students from universities once regarded as among the finest in the world, gathered in Berlin to burn books regarded as being ‘UnGerman’… Visit The History Place to read more
Read more great stories here,
40again's Blog 
A moment in time not to be forgotten. I love that you captured two different perspectives, the student enthusiastically joining in and the other one who sees beyond the propoganda
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Thank you Siobhan. It must have been a terrible time which I can’t begin to understand.
Thank you for reading
Dee
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This was chilling.. and we seem to be on the same line here. There is something very scary about burning books.
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Thank you Bjorn. A very turbulent and horrific time, and yes after reading your story we are on the same wavelength this week.
Thank you for reading
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You nailed it, Dee. We know this from history but never actually heard people’s thoughts about it. Obviously, these were kids, since they didn’t know any better … or maybe they were adults who sanctioned it, too.
Anyhow, I liked this a LOT. Great!
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Thank you Kent.
I wanted to try and show that not everyone was enthusiastic about burning the books, it must have been quite a terrifying time for all the people like Werner.
Dee
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Well done – so very true, and now and then we are suddenly subject to some group or other wanting the same. You made the enthusiasm just right – how easy it is to get people to do it.
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Thank you so much, pleased you liked it
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Burning books is a theme which seems to run through a few dystopian worlds. Nice one.
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Thank you Paul, good to hear from you.
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Sometimes we go against everything we believe just to survive. We should never judge without learning the true story. Thank you for this history reminder, you painted a very real picture.
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Your comments are so true, and a timely reminder for what is happening in the world today.
Thank you for reading
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And shades of “Fahrenheit 451” as well, Dee. For a book lover (and freedom lover), your story is a well-written nightmare.
janet
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Thanks Janet
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A VERY sad moment in history that you captured very well. “fearing the world would never be the same again” I don’t believe it has been.
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I don’t believe it has either. Thank you for reading
Dee
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This makes me think of what greatness could had happen instead of the evil that did happen. … Good strong story.
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Thank you Mike. Yes indeed, so many brilliant minds silenced and so much evil…
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Dear Dee, Such a sad period of history in our world. It could happen again at any time. All people have to do is ‘go along’ with it and that’s enough to ruin freedom. Unfortunately if you talk about it – the wrong ears might hear what you say too. Great story Dee – good research! Nan 🙂
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Dear Nan
It was a dreadful time and worryingly you are quite right – it could happen again.
Thank you for reading, lovely to hear from you again.
Dee
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Dear Dee,
Have you read or seen The Book Thief. This put me in mind of that. A chilling time in history that I fear may soon be repeated. Well written.
Welcome back from the internet void. I was there myself last week and it wasn’t all bad. 😉
Great story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
No, I’ve not read The Book Thief yet, it is on my list.
It must have been a terrible time and chills me every time I read or see anything about it.
It’s good to have internet access again, although we did have a lovely time without it !
Take care
Dee
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As tragic as any Friday Fictioneer story this week.
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Thanks Claire
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This one truly gave me chills, Dee. I’m not sure I could ever burn a book– loved or hated. It seems the absolute symbol of anarchy and horror. This was the beginning of such a dark, dark time in history.
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I know I couldn’t bring myself to do that, I’ve given them away to charity shops, friends and family, but couldn’t burn them.
It was a world changing time, things have never been the same again.
Thanks for reading Dawn,
Dee
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So well captured. “fearing the world would never be the same again.” An absolute horror to watch.
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Thank you, glad you liked it. You’re right it must have been a horror to watch and a terrible time to live through.
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A great reminder of something we cannot afford to forget.
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Thanks for reading, agree with you entirely.
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Any time you hear something from the Propoganda Minister you should be suspicious. We all know where things went from there. Well told story, Dee.
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Thank you Russell, you are so right!
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wow, Dee, this gave me chills. just can’t bear the thought of burning books… made me wince.
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I feel the same way KZ…thanks for reading 🙂
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Hi Dee, a very sad real story, I learned about it recently in a movie, I forgot the name now. Destroying book is a crime without forgiveness.
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Hi Elizabeth
It could possibly have been ‘The Book Thief’ you are referring to, I think Rochelle mentioned it I haven’t read the book of seen the film but it is on my list.
Thanks for reading
Dee
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Hi Dee, yes! The Book Thief, one of the best movies I’ve seen. Have a great Sunday!
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You too Elizabeth 🙂
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Very telling and well-handled piece. The serious side of my piece, which needs to be always remembered.
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Thank you Perry, good to hear from you as always.
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I read about this event years ago when studying the subject of world history. I had shamefully forgotten…..
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Thanks for reading Dawn 🙂
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Werner stands out in the crowd. Nice story, burning books is not an option.:)
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Thank you. I agree, not an option.
Thanks for reading
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