Thought-provoking, disturbing, a great read!!
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It is difficult to review this book without giving out the plot details, and half the fun (an incongruous word given the plot matter) is in slowly discovering the context of the story, the plot setting and the truth about the characters in the background
The book starts off looking like a growing-up story of a nine-year old, before the mood gets darker as the plot is revealed. The author's light touch and his success in showing the mindset of an ordinary cheerful kid creates a disturbing effect on the reader - the story gets progressively darker while the main character remains oblivious to the reality of the events around him.
This is a short book and the gripping nature of the tale ensures that the book is finished reading in a short period. But, once finished, you can bet that the reader would go back and reread some of the sections. And then pick up this book after some time to read it again cover to cover.
Highly recommended!!
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No words describle how bad this book is
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I can comfortable say that this is one of the worst books I have ever read.
The author knows nothing of this time so it is nowhere near accurate.
He has put in annoying English puns, they are German.
I do not for a second believe that a child that age can be that ignorant about what's going on.
Yes, I know it's about him being innocent but that child was just ignorant.
I could go on but I'll just say it's sad that people find this book so good, I am just glad that I didn't live through what the people in the camps did because I would be insulted by the treatment the this book has given it.
It's not worth reading. There is a book I want to read about the holocaust by someone who lived through it as a child and only barely managed to survive, he now lives in the same town as me and can bring a room full of people to tears when he talks about it. That's the Holocaust book people should be reading not this dribble.
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Great book
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Really enjoyed this book and didnt know anything about it, this is the best way to read it. Easy read as it is a kids book but us adults all really liked it and it made me cry which is always a good sign.
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Try not to read where / when this is set before you start reading...
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The synopsis (published above but replicated below) is really the best recommendation... it really really is important that you start with no pre-conceptions.
"The story of "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the cover, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about. If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence. We hope you never have to cross such a fence. "
It also sets the tone for what is a wonderfully written book... Bruno's innocence is compelling. It's not a kid's book - it's a book for everyone.
Recommendation: Buy, buy, buy!
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Objectionable
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"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is an original tale set in Nazi Germany, telling the story of Bruno, a young and naive German boy who befriends a Jewish boy. The book is written in simple language and is easy to read. It is though the innocence of the main character and the style of the writing that the book ultimately achieves its impact, with the story growing darker and darker as it progresses and the reader - not Bruno - being the one to realise what's going on. The climax, albeit slightly predictable as the end approaches, is harrowing and will bring home the horrors of the Holocaust.
However, I'd agree with some of the other reviewers about the questionable realism of some of the events in the book, and would emphathise with those who found the story insulting or offensive. Does a child really walk around with their eyes and ears shut the way Bruno does? (One history book I read on Hitler contained photos of young German children burning Jewish literature.) I doubt it.
Whilst "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" as a story is interesting, my personal opinion is that authors should leave the subject of the Holocaust well and truly alone. The world has had several decades to come to terms with this dark period of history. It's about time writers found something else to explore and stopped digging up what is an extremely painful past for many. I'm only giving this book two stars because of this.
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