Daniel Half-Human Blog Entry #1

My novel that I have decided to explore is "Daniel Half-Human" by David Chotjewitz, translated by Doris Orgel. The novel is about a thirteen year old aristocrat boy named Daniel, who befriends a  common dweller from the opposite side of town. The novel itself is told in two different time periods, one at the beginning of the Second World War and after during the post-war. Both in Germany.  Just when you think it's the perfect, chummy book about two boys who become the best of friends, an unexpected turn of the story happens. Daniel is quick to discover he is half-Jewish. He is despised upon by his neighbours, teachers and friends. Thus, introducing my social issue, racism.

                I chose to have my inspiration to the book come from "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" It relays the perfect story of how two boys from totally different upbringings find a common bond that unites them, when all odds are against them. Shmuel is captured and imprisoned at an concentration camp and is founded  and befriended by Bruno, the son of an high ranking Nazi commandant. Shmuel and his family are imprisoned in the camp because they were Jews. Throughout the movie it shows how badly the Jews were treated, hated by Germans for nothing but their ethnic background.

                This reminds me exactly how Daniel was treated once news broke out that he was half-Jewish. He and Armin never split up, standing up for one another when the time called for it. However, in the end, separation was how Daniel and his family resolved the racists threats from the community. By moving out of Germany, he and his family were able to live freely for a certain amount of time. The same thing happened with Shmuel, he was forced into segregation. However, Shmuel unfortunately did not get the same limited freedom  as Daniel and his family. This is what comes to my mind when I'm reading my novel. The racists issues the protagonist dealt with and who was by his side while that was happening.              

For more information about "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"  either book or movie check out these links:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-boy-in-the-striped-pajamas-2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy_in_the_Striped_Pyjamas

http://theindependentcritic.com/the_boy_in_the_striped_pajamas

http://www.theage.com.au/news/book-reviews/the-boy-in-the-striped-pyjamas/2006/01/03/1136050420787.html