Quotes by Ursula Hegi

Ursula Hegi is a German-born American author best known for her literary fiction that often explores themes of identity, family, and the interplay of personal and historical narratives. Born on May 23, 1946, in Düsseldorf, Germany, she immigrated to the United States in 1964 at the age of 18. Her writing frequently reflects her experience as a cultural outsider and examines the impact of Germany’s history, particularly the legacy of World War II and the Holocaust, on individual lives.

Hegi gained international acclaim with her novel Stones from the River (1994), a part of her "Burgdorf Cycle," which chronicles life in a fictional German town during the Nazi era. The novel, narrated by a dwarf named Trudi Montag, delves into themes of difference, acceptance, and the moral complexities faced by ordinary people under oppressive regimes. Her ability to intertwine intimate storytelling with broader historical contexts has earned her critical acclaim.