Four Perfect Pebbles

Why are memoirs like Four Perfect Pebbles so important for understanding the direct experience of historical events? How will these memoirs become even more crucial as decades pass and those who survived these events pass on?

Why did Marion set her heart on collecting four perfect pebbles? How did this small goal provide her with a great sense of purpose during the darkest of times?

How does the combination of factual historical data and genuine lived experience create both an informative and emotional memoir? Why might including both types of information strengthen the work itself?