The Boy at The Top of the Mountain

Pierrot grows closer to Hitler. The two discuss books that the Führer recommends and talk about Wilhelm’s experiences during and after the First World War. Hitler also explains his desire to make all of Europe part of Germany and share his hatred of Jews. Pierrot in turn tries “not to think about the fact than Anshel was Jewish” (149).

Though Pierrot still thinks of home, he rapidly begins to show the influence of Hitler’s ideas. He speaks rudely to the Berghof servants, even to Beatrix. He calls his father a coward for allowing “weakness to vanquish his spirit” during war, a slight that makes Beatrix sad (154). She wonders out loud if it was a “terrible mistake” to bring her nephew to Berghof (154).

The household experiences a new flurry of activity in preparation for the arrival of the abdicated King Edward VIII of England (now known as the Duke of Windsor) and his wife, the Duchess (Wallis). The two are visiting Berghof for diplomatic talks with Hitler. Though the Duke is no longer king, the Führer is clearly interested in leveraging a friendship with him to advance his political goals. They discuss a possible alliance between Nazi Germany and England, which Hitler attempts to facilitate by charming the Duke. While the Duchess talks down to Pierrot, as though he is a “wonderful little Nazi toy” (158), Hitler invites him to be an “honorary footman” (160) while he and the Duke talk. When Hitler mentions that he came from humble beginnings (his father was a shoemaker), yet has shown exceptional ability to unite people, Pierrot interjects that his father was a soldier. This innocent interruption clearly infuriates Hitler, though he does not say anything at first. Later that night, however, Hitler goes to Pierrot’s room, terrifying him. After swearing to never again disrespect the Führer, Pierrot wets the bed out of fright. 

Deep into World War II, the stress is clearly taking its toll on life at Berghof. Hitler is rarely present at the mansion, but Pierrot’s sense of self-importance has still grown. He takes Beatrix’s room, leaving her to move into his smaller quarters. He also continues to talk down to Emma and the other house staff. At school, Pierrot struggles to make friends. Even Katarina, who previously defended him, does not approve of Pierrot’s beliefs, attitudes, and closeness to Hitler. He seems oblivious to this rejection, however.

Browsing in Hitler’s library one day, Pierrot finds the copy of Emil and the Detectives that Simone gifted to him when he left the orphanage in Orléans. He sees the last letter he received from Anshel, stashed inside. The letter mentions that Anshel and his mother are preparing to leave Paris, given the clearly escalating persecution that Jews are facing and the general calamity of war. Unmoved, now feeling lightyears away from his former life in Paris, he orders Herta to give the book away or simply throw it in the trash. He throws the letter in the fire, hoping that Hitler does not find remnants.

One night, Pierrot overhears Beatrix and Ernst whispering about a plot related to Hitler. He misses the key details, but it later turns out to be a plan to poison the Führer. Beatrix and Ernst also talk about how Pierrot has changed since arriving at Berghof. They resent and fear the influence that Hitler has had on the boy and are concerned that he has been completely corrupted; Beatrix “dread[s] to think what type of man he’ll become if this continues” (173).

Hitler invites Pierrot to accompany him and Eva to a Christmas party for children in Berchtesgaden. Ernst drives them into town, but when he drops his keys, Pierrot runs after him to try and give them back. He sees Ernst enter a building. Through a window, he can see a man holding a syringe, showing Ernst how to insert it into a cake to inject it with something; at this point, Pierrot either does not understand or is oblivious to the fact that the intent is to poison Hitler’s cake. Pierrot flees and says nothing to anyone about what he saw.

At the end of Christmas Eve dinner at Berghof, Ernst calls for Hitler to eat the first slice of the traditional holiday cake known as Stollen. Before he takes a bite, Pierrot dramatically shouts for the Führer not to do it. He explains that something is wrong with the cake and accuses Beatrix of being a “traitor” (185). Hitler cunningly asks Ernst to eat the cake. The driver throws the cake in the Führer’s face and runs out before being captured.

A highly suspicious Hitler grills Pierrot about what he knows and how, but he leaves him unscathed after the boy claims he did not understand what the plot was until that night. At the end of the night, he watches from his bedroom window as Ernst is executed, shouting “[d]eath to the Nazis!” followed by Beatrix, shot in the head as she stares “directly at [Pierrot]” (189, 190).