Munoz Ryan author study discussion

Friedrich is now in the midst of what the Nazi's can and did do. What were your reactions to father and Uncle Gunter's having dinner with known Jewish people. Are they just putting their noses up in the air at the powers that be?
We are left hanging at the end of this part, does Friedrich end up in a camp or do you believe that Anselm is in on the plan as well?
What do you think so far?
Your questions for the group.

I do not believe that Father was thinking about Jewish/German when he invited the two men over to play with Friedrich. I think he was trying to help him with his audition into the music school. I think it came to a shock to him and how different people were/ did act in fear.
I have really enjoyed this book.

My question:
Do you think they would have made it, to their safe destination, if they left right away and didn't wait for be a reason to leave?

I agree with Tami. I don't think that Father thought about Jewish vs. German people when he asked the two men over to play music. He treated people as people just like he thought should be done. No one was less of a human based on the color of their skin or their religion or for any other reason. He just wanted to enjoy music and help his son be successful in his upcoming audition. I don't think Father or Uncle Gunther were in defiance to cause trouble. They just felt humans are humans.
After reading this books and other historical fiction books during this time period, it is totally and completely impossible to think that anyone was treated this way. I also cannot believe that there are people in the world that don't believe Hitler committed the crimes that he did.
I believe Anselm is doing what he has been "brainwashed" to do by his family and other Hitlerites. It also makes him believe he is better and above others.

I agree Anita. This time of history is appalling to me and it is unreal that people agreed and still agree with Hitler crimes.

I don't think that Martin was considering religion when he invited friends over to play music. I think he was just looking for to an enjoyable evening with friends. When the discussion of religion began, he was forced to take sides and was not willing to turn his back on an old friend. I don't think they were intentionally going against the Nazi regime; they were just being the kind-hearted people they had always been.

At this point, I don't know how Friedrich would be able to talk himself out of being sent to an asylum. He has an obvious deformity, he is waving his hands in the air like a crazy person, and his father is a know Jewish sympathizer. The cards are all stacked against him.

I don't think Anselm was in on the plan this time. He seemed pretty proud of himself for getting Friedrich to agree to going to a meeting with him. The guards on the train seemed like more of an unfortunate coincidence.

This book is stressing me out!

I agree with you both Tami and Anita. My heart aches for the people that experienced this part of our history first hand.

I also agree with the other comments. I don't think his father was trying to cause any trouble by getting together with someone that was Jewish. I think he just want Friedrich to have some practice and enjoy playing some music together.
I also agree with what Candace said about how Friedrich is going to keep himself out of an asylum at this point. When I read that part in the book where he started conducting I said out loud, "Why did you do that? You know that is going to cause problems."
This book does definitely stresses a person out. I just can't imagine living in that time and what people had to say and do to survive.
I don't think Anselm had anything to do with this encounter either, but talk about bad luck. I am scared, but yet compelled to keep reading. I hope Friedrich finds a way to get to his father.
I keep thinking about the fact that they had no easy way to communicate with each other either. They couldn't just call, send a text, or an email to find out how things were going. Friedrich and Uncle Gunter were really going out on a limb with their plan. I don't know if I would have been as brave as they were to even try.
My main questions right now are, how are things going for Gunter and what in the world will happen to Friedrich(why did he have to start conducting?) I feel my blood pressure rise just thinking about all this.

I also agree, I do not think that the connection was made about having the German and Jewish guests occurred to Friedrich’s father. He was quite protective over many aspects of his family and I am surprised that this gathering actually happened. Father was a kindhearted soul and his focus was playing the music he loved while helping Friedrich with his audition for music school. Unfortunately, this focus takes a tragic turn.

I think that Anselm was satisfied with Friedrich agreeing to go the meeting with him. I didn’t get the impression that he felt Friedrich was planning on taking off prior to that meeting taking place. On the train, the first guard told Friedrich that he was cleared, it was only when the second guard said “wait” and pulled back his scarf and hat that he realized the connection he had with Father—a “Jew lover”.

I am not really sure what will happen to Friedrich. I am torn between my want for him to be released, able to find Uncle Gunter, and follow through with the plan and my fear of him being a victim of Hitler and the Nazis.

My biggest questions after this section of reading—Where will the harmonica take us? Where will it end up after Friedrich packs it away to be shipped before he leaves the factory? Whose hands will it fall into?

I don't think the father was thinking about Jewish/German either. He just wanted to help Friedrich with his audition and to give him the best possible chance to get in to the music school. I feel like Anselm was just doing what was expected of him, to get more people to the meetings. I don't think he had any idea of what Friedrich had planned. What a great book!

I think that father and Uncle Gunter were doing this to help Friederich with his musical training, so that he is able to do well on his audition. I don't think that having dinner with Jewish people was what was crossing their minds at this time; although they may have not really put it out of their minds with everything that was going on. I don't think that they are putting their noses up in the air, but they are being more trusting of people than what they should be and are taking chances.
I think that Anselm is trying to make trouble because his father is a commander, per se; Anselm wants to be in charge of people too. he is trying to help Friedrich by getting him to go to the meeting though.
I am learning some things from this book and am finding it interesting. I am doing other book studies, but this one is more relaxing because of the easy reading and not a professional development book.
Where will Friedrich end up? Will Elisabeth help her family in any other way?

Like everybody else stated, I don't think that the father ever thought about Jewish/German connections. It stated in the story that the father did not realize his friends allegiance to Hitler until that moment. How would he have known prior to that. I think that he just wanted to help his son out in any way he could as most parents would.

I wish that they would have just left then and there instead of wasting time coming up with a plan to leave. I think it is extremely sad to think that this is how it worked at that time. To think that people could be so cruel breaks my heart. I also wonder about the people and how loyal they truly were to Hitler. I was glad to see that Elisabeth didn't turn away from her family so completely. It makes me wonder if she is "playing" both sides.

I think that Frederich had a great plan and that he and Uncle Gunter could have pulled it off. I think that the guards just happened to be a stroke of bad luck. I actually thought that the fairy tale said that the girls were supposed to save somebody's life. Is that going to happen to Frederich? Is he the one even though he left the harmonica at the factory.

This book is very stressful and I definitely did not like how Part I ended. I want to know what happens. I think that his Uncle will survive but will we ever find out??? It seems so surreal that this actually happened like that and also how quickly fear can change a person. I'm proud of Frederich for being so courageous.

I do not think that father had any other intentions than playing music when he invited his German and Jewish friend over.
I know it happened, but it is difficult to read how people turn on one another when they are scared for themselves and family. I was is disbelief how the gathering ended and how quickly events spiraled out of control. I do not like how part one ended. I have so many wonderings. I cannot imagine having my family taken from me and feeling so helpless. I am now worried for Friedrich since his Uncle began his journey and he is left alone. I believe that Friedrich is going to be taken away to a hospital. This book has me wanting to continue reading as much as I do not want to read it. I fear what is going to happen next. How do you think the harmonica will reappear? It is somehow connected to the prologue.

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As of right now, I do not think Friedrich's father was aware of the repercussions of having the two men over to play music. I think he was more concerned about the great opportunity for his son.
I wish Friedrich and his dad would have gone to his uncles house and then waited to leave in the middle of the night.
I was relieved to find out that the sister may not be as big of a Nazi supporter as she lets on.
There has to be some importance of the harmonica and how he left it up to chance of where it will end up. I can't wait to see what comes of the harmonica.
As of right now, I was not thrilled with how this section ended. I hope he does not end up in the asylum, but I fear he will for a little while.
What do you think the significance of the W on the harmonica is? I feel like the W will be very important later in the book.

Katie wrote: "As of right now, I do not think Friedrich's father was aware of the repercussions of having the two men over to play music. I think he was more concerned about the great opportunity for his son.
I..."

Its an M on the harmonica.

I, honestly, believe that his father hadn’t fathomed how deeply people’s loyalty to Hitler had become. These were his friends and confidants, musicians that had bonded for years. How could this intelligent man buy in to such rash ideologies? In a way, one could have expected that Elisabeth would follow those around her in her time of seeking approval/acceptance while away from her family for the first time. But how could Rudolf turn on father? This is the point that they realize no one is to be trusted. They must put on the mask of following Hitler’s Regime or suffer the consequences. The days of his father’s openly, bold thoughts have been muted in order to protect his family.

His father is gone, Uncle Gunner may be next, and his sister is away being loyal to the “enemy”… It is a relief that his sister sent money to help their father. Are her eyes being opened to what is becoming of her family? Is she seeing the truth of what is happening in Germany?
Friedrich hatches a plan to rescue his father, while his uncle flees. What is to become of them? He is caught by the officers. Will they take him to the Camp or will he be sent to the asylum? It is tragic that he sent his Harmonica on the ship to the U.S. That was his cloak of safety, but music is deep within. I believe Friedrich will come through this and be able to deliver the money for his father. The Harmonica is on its way to another adventure. I'm held in suspense. I can't stop listening/reading!!

I truly believe that Father and Uncle Gunter believed in the goodness of humanity. Father believed that music could overcome all differences. Differences that seemed small to him but were drastic to the Nazi party.

I so dearly want Friedrich to be ok. I want him to make it out of the situation he is in. Even though the way that Ryan ended is very powerful, I hope that the story may shows the ending, or the beginning of their new journey.

I am also thankful that Elisabeth was willing to send money to help Father.

I am in LOVE with this book. I can't wait to dig deeper into Part 2.

I think that Father had a difficult time wrapping his head around all the newly formed Nazi ways. He was always a bit quick tempered as a musician, but rather a bit naive as a German in this time frame. It really sunk in with Friedrich and Father when Elisabeth came home for a visit. So, Father was warned by his daughter and felt threatened by his daughter, friends, and neighbors. Father had a different perspective as fellow musician friends were Jewish. I think in the back of his mind, he knew it wasn't good to be associated with the Jews, but at the same time, since they had been friends for a long time, he didn't want to accept that it would be a problem, at least from his point of view. This was very descriptive of how people turned on each other. Uncle Gunther was also aware, probably more than Father. Father and Friedrich tossed the ideas around in their heads and made decisions on how to approach the joining the Nazi way or not to protect their family. It was clear he had no problem with the Jews, but he knew that sympathizing with the Jews would not end well for him either.
I feel that Anselm is up to no good. He is arrogant and boastful and wants to make himself look good for his father, who is with the police. I feel that he is using trickery to lure Friedrich into a trap where he has no one to protect him so to speak. Anselm has always had a snide smirk about himself. Friedrich is intuitive, though and tries to stay one up on Anselm, but eventually Anselm catches him off guard as Friedrich, Gunther, and Father plan their exit.
This book is making me nuts. I try to stop reading at times, but feel compelled to finish. I am curious to find out what will happen.
?? How does the harmonica weave itself into the next part, since it is being shipped on its new mission? How will Friedrich, Father, and Uncle Gunther be affected? Will they fall prey to the Nazis ? Will Elisabeth ever see her family again?

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I think that Father and Uncle Gunter are staying loyal to people they have already formed relationships with over the span of their lives. I don't think it is to purposely turn their noses up at the powers that be, but maybe they hadn't realized how dangerous it was getting.
The end of this part makes me so sad. Ryan leaves it up to us I guess to finish the rest of that part of the story. Unfortunately, I am guessing that Friedrich would have been taken to the Home for Unfortunates, since they dragged him off the train while he was conducting. I am excited to see what happens as the harmonica makes it's way to the U.S.

I agree, I don't think his father meant any trouble. I think he was focused on playing music and helping Friedrich eventually audition for music school. When religion came up he seemed to be very uncomfortable. I think Anselm is just trying to get people to the meetings.

I am worried for Friedrich with how this first part ended. I wish that he would have been able to control himself from conducting. I can't and don't want to imagine what it must have been like to live during this time. The happy ending person in me wants him to reunite with his family but I am scared he might become a victim of Hitler.

I am wondering whose hands the harmonica will end up in next.

I agree with others. I don’t think when Father invited Josef and Rudolph over, that he was worried about being in the same house as a Jewish person. He saw them as his friends and wanted for them to play and make music again. I don’t believe he was putting his nose in the air at the Hitler and his Nazi Party. Father and Friedrich see people as people and don’t judge them based on their beliefs.

As I finished part one, I am hoping that Friedrich doesn’t end up in a camp. I would like to see him be successful with his plan. I think Anselm is trying to recruit people for the group he belongs to. I thought this to help out his rank with the more people he would be bringing to the meetings.

I am invested in this book. I am curious to read the next part to see how their story will tie in with the harmonica and Friedrich’s story.

As stated many times above, I think Father was only thinking of the upcoming audition and making great music with his friends.

Once Friedrich had found the harmonica, he had so much strength and confidence in himself, I was worried what may happen to him as he packaged it up to be shipped to the U.S. This is obviously where the story will take us next, to the new recipient of the harmonica.

I am uncertain what happens to Friedrich; earlier in the story, I thought he may play the harmonica and save himself but without it in his possession I assume he will be sent to live out his life in the Home for Unfortunates but hope he is instead sent to Dachau where he reunites with his father. I do not think Anselm was involved in the train incident, I feel it was a coincidence. Anselm is a young man trying to gain recognition within the Nazi regime and the respect of his father.

I am curious about the significance of the red M on the harmonica, and how each of the family members current trail will once again be woven together for them all to be reunited.

I agree that Friedrich's father was unaware of who his father invited. He was looking to give his son a wonderful opportunity and having friends over. I am very nervous and anxious for Friedrich and his life. I'm hoping for the best with Friedrich and will make it out alive.
It's interesting to see how people are acting/reacting in this time and how people change their views on others. I like that Friedrich and his father still see people for who they are and not what they are.
I'm curious on what will happen to the harmonica and where it will go.

I think Friedrich's father had the best intentions for the dinner and was having the dinner with only his son's future in mind. I also think his father wanted to go back to a time when they did not have to worry about the Nazi's and were able to live their lives as they wanted. I actually was not a fan of how the author left us hanging at the end of this reading. It's hard to know whether or not Anselm was in on the plan; my guess is that he was. This has been a very interesting read so far. I have enjoyed the story thus far, but wished for a better ending. I'm wondering if the author is going to leave us hanging and wants us to imagine our own ending.

I think, while father understands what the Nazi party is about he is very naive about how far the fingers of control reach. He thinks that musicians are musicians first. As he learns the fear and control are beginning to lead the way.
I really hope the very best for Friedrich. I hate where this part ended. I think the guards were an unfortunate happenstance. I need to keep reading to see what is next.

Friedrich is now in the midst of what the Nazi's can and did do.
In a sense yes, father and Uncle Gunter were putting their noses up at the Nazi party. I feel they both are idealists and hope that small efforts like having dinner with known Jewish people, would show others that they aren't that bad. That they are good people and that you don't have to do what the Nazi party commands. Unfortunately, that doesn't pan out as well as they had hoped, and the powerful got their way. I did not like how this ended. No, no, NO! They were so close...