I do hope you stick with it. I cannot assure you that the darkness will fade, but, Grass does a great job in lightening this darkness with humor.

I will stick with it and see where it goes. I do not give on books very easily.

Suzanne wrote:Grass does a great job in lightening this darkness with humor.

And here is another example: "This act of violence robe me of my inner balance and good cheer for as long as his visit lasts--and lawyers always have plenty of say."

Looks like Oskar and Grass will take turns talking to us.

I think the grandmother's willingness not only to hid a criminal under her skirts, but to become an accomplice in his unholiness (even before they get to know one another!) is a testimony to the hunger for adventure that we all have. She, too, is a hero in the early stages of this book, for allowing herself to jump into the current and let this raging river take her where it may.