Author: John BoyneGenre: Fiction
Published: 2006
Personal Rating: 4/5
Yearly Count: 80
In the early 40's, Bruno is a naive nine-year-old boy that lives in Berlin. One day he comes home from school to find the maid packing his things. He discovers that his father has received a promotion and the family needs to move far away. Bruno hates his new home and longs for friends. One day he goes exploring and finds a boy . . . a boy in striped pajamas.
I've never read a book on the subject of the Holocaust from this perspective. It was very interesting and well done. Actually, all the characters gave good insight into their individual worlds that helped paint the picture of the time frame. While I was listening, I did feel that Bruno was extremely naive, but after listening to the author's explanation in an interview, I fully understand now. It was a quick read, not light or easy, but one worth reading.
Boyne also said in an interview with his publisher that he wrote this novel as a book - not as an adult or children's book, just a book. He believes that classifications are more for where to place a book in a store or library; however, it was published as an adult book.
I read this earlier this week. I had a love-hate relationship with it, because I didn't like Bruno, but I don't think the book would have been as powerful without that dislike. Taken as a whole, I thought it was a unique book, not one I'll soon forget.
ReplyDeleteGreat review Joy! I just added it to my TBR. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteA really good read, and I thought that it was good how he didn't understand all the words. If your interested in childrens fiction about living through the war you should check out Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli its far better than this one and only about 100 pages.
ReplyDeleteTeddy Rose ~ My suggestion would be to just accept Bruno's naivete as genuine innocence and it'll make a better read.
ReplyDeleteKatrina ~ I know Spinelli. Thank you. I'll have to look into that one. :)
Charley ~ Sorry! I thought I responded to you, but apparently I didn't. Maybe it was just in my head. :) Anyway . . . I thought it was unique too. I liked getting glimpses of the time and setting through the maid, the cook, the mother, etc. Their points of view really added to the story.
ReplyDeleteInitially, I didn't understand why Bruno was so naive, later I read what Boyne explained and then I understood why. It's like we are something like Bruno, ignorant because we are not on the other side of the fence and don't really know what's actually happening!
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely thought-provoking book. Here is my review if you'd like to check it out! =D Thanks.
Josette ~ This is some of what I got from the interview: Regarding the Holocaust, we see it through eyes of knowledge - years and years of insight from numerous sources. Any nine-year-old would be clueless as to what was going on. However, I saw him as naive in other areas of his life as well. I now attribute that to his sheltered, privileged upbringing. He also could have been an emotionally young nine.
ReplyDeleteAll this discussion is really firing me up to read this book!
ReplyDeleteI think that now the lines are so blurry between what is adult and what is young adult. I gave my sister The Book Thief yesterday (my little sister--16), but I feel that was as much an adult book than it was a young adult one. I think movies are crossing the same lines now. Sounds like an interesting read!
ReplyDeleteI had this on my Spring Reading Thing list, but I'm afraid I'm not going to get to it in time for that. Definitely more anxious than ever to pick it up off my pile now though. Thanks, Joy.
ReplyDeleteBybee ~ It has an interesting perspective which makes you think.
ReplyDeleteTrish ~ I agree. YA has come a long way - in the positive direction! :)
Debi ~ When you do pick it up, it'll go by fast. I didn't think it was fantastic, but certainly worth the read.
I read this one as well, and sometimes wanted to give Bruno a good kick in the butt. I really liked this one and since bought it to add to my personal library.
ReplyDeleteMaw Books ~ Glad you liked it, too. I have to come by and read your review in full.
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