Margot Benary-Isbert (1889–1979)
Author of The Ark
About the Author
Series
Works by Margot Benary-Isbert
Blue Mystery 2 copies
Berlin Picture Book 2 copies
Dangerous Spring 1 copy
Oma und Opa sind die Besten 1 copy
A Quinta do Tramagal Livro 1 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1889-12-02
- Date of death
- 1979-05-27
- Gender
- female
- Education
- University of Frankfurt
- Occupations
- children's book author
- Short biography
- Margot Benary-Isbert was born in Saarbrücken, then in Prussia, and raised in Frankfurt, Germany. She began writing at a young age and published her first story at age 19. She attended a convent school and briefly attended the University of Frankfurt before working as a secretary at the Museum of Ethnology and Anthropology in Frankfurt from 1910 to 1917. In 1917, she married Wilhelm Benary, a psychologist, with whom she had a daughter and lived and worked on a family farm in Erfurt. After World War II, they fled to a city near Göttingen, West Germany. There she wrote her first book, Die Arche Noah (The Ark), about a family of refugees, published in 1953. In 1952, the family moved to the USA, settling first in Chicago and later in Santa Barbara, California. She produced other children's books and later turned to writing for older adults, starting with The Grandmother and Her First Grandchild, based on her own experiences.
- Nationality
- Germany (birth)
USA - Birthplace
- Saarbrücken, Rhine Province, Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire
- Places of residence
- Frankfurt, Germany
- Place of death
- Santa Barbara, California, USA
Members
Reviews
The second in the series of a refugee family in Germany shortly after WWII (~1948). They've found a home on a farm where the eldest son helps in the orchard & fields, the oldest daughter is kennel assistant (the farm raises Great Danes) plus all other animals, the mother begins a sewing group to show other refugee women how to makeover old clothes, another daughter stays in school & enjoys drama, and the 2 youngest boys have all kinds of adventures at their new school.
I'm reading this aloud show more to my son, & he keeps wanting to go visit Rowan Farm.
The author writes interestingly, with a few philosophical musings which could actually be said in our current times. The overall life philosophy of the family seems to be "no one can help us if we don't help ourselves," and it seems to be working well for them. The book does touch on some social problems such as the fate of veterans after release from prison. This is a mind-benders for an American as I stop to realize these are Nazi soldiers whom we are taught were quite ruthless. Yet for those caught on the Russian side of the wall, the fate for them after prison is to be sent to uranium mines in Russia where they will be worked until they die. Even for those on the American side, there is no work, homes are frequently bombed out, and food is in short supply. Until the currency reform happens(also mentioned in this tale), no one really wants to buy or sell anything.
It was interesting to read some translations of quotes that are different in this book than we know. e.g. Evensong of matthias Claudius (p. 191); God Gave Me a Little Light (Negro spiritual)(p. 267). show less
I'm reading this aloud show more to my son, & he keeps wanting to go visit Rowan Farm.
The author writes interestingly, with a few philosophical musings which could actually be said in our current times. The overall life philosophy of the family seems to be "no one can help us if we don't help ourselves," and it seems to be working well for them. The book does touch on some social problems such as the fate of veterans after release from prison. This is a mind-benders for an American as I stop to realize these are Nazi soldiers whom we are taught were quite ruthless. Yet for those caught on the Russian side of the wall, the fate for them after prison is to be sent to uranium mines in Russia where they will be worked until they die. Even for those on the American side, there is no work, homes are frequently bombed out, and food is in short supply. Until the currency reform happens(also mentioned in this tale), no one really wants to buy or sell anything.
It was interesting to read some translations of quotes that are different in this book than we know. e.g. Evensong of matthias Claudius (p. 191); God Gave Me a Little Light (Negro spiritual)(p. 267). show less
Historical fiction that feels immediate and relevant. I'll tell you what, the worst that covid-19 can do to us is nothing compared to what WWII did to the ordinary German people. And yet with a lot of love and hard work, and a little luck, ruined lives can be renewed. I very much enjoyed my time spent watching this plucky family deal with rationing, fear, loneliness, & hunger, and finally come into their own. I'm glad there's a sequel, though this does end satisfyingly if you can't find.
This show more one, at least, is on openlibrary.org, free to borrow a carefully scanned copy. show less
This show more one, at least, is on openlibrary.org, free to borrow a carefully scanned copy. show less
The author's name rings a bell; it's possible that I read this when I was a child...?
.......
Doesn't seem so, doesn't feel at all familiar. I would have loved it though, and I would have remembered the wise & brave Aunt Gundula.
Though a completely different setting, it reminds me of another of my favorite books, one I loved as a child and still do, and still recommend, [b:The Pushcart War|219553|The Pushcart War|Jean show more Merrill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1314545996l/219553._SY75_.jpg|2092].
This too is enjoyable even though I'm a more jaded adult. There's just so much to love, with humor, & adventure, animals & word-play, big idea themes & charming details.
I recommend it. I might reread it someday, as it's avl. on openlibrary. I will continue to consider more by the author. show less
.......
Doesn't seem so, doesn't feel at all familiar. I would have loved it though, and I would have remembered the wise & brave Aunt Gundula.
Though a completely different setting, it reminds me of another of my favorite books, one I loved as a child and still do, and still recommend, [b:The Pushcart War|219553|The Pushcart War|Jean show more Merrill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1314545996l/219553._SY75_.jpg|2092].
This too is enjoyable even though I'm a more jaded adult. There's just so much to love, with humor, & adventure, animals & word-play, big idea themes & charming details.
I recommend it. I might reread it someday, as it's avl. on openlibrary. I will continue to consider more by the author. show less
Warm and wise but also pretty dated. I like her attitude toward aging, and her feelings about love. She was a good writer and a champion of adventure in all its forms. If you can overlook the sexism with which she writes, there's much to be gleaned here. Interesting, too, to read the older versions of translations of things I love in their more familiar forms. It was interesting to read a 75-year-old's perspective on nursing homes, on being alone after a happy marriage, and on grandchildren. show more Recommended. show less
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Women in War (5)
Awards
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Statistics
- Works
- 27
- Also by
- 14
- Members
- 1,356
- Popularity
- #18,965
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 23
- ISBNs
- 37
- Languages
- 2
- Favorited
- 2