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Their friendship is forged in conversations that occur almost entirely through the fence itself. It has also been made into a "major motion picture.") From the window of his new bedroom, Bruno can see the fence that surrounds the camp. Before I started reading it, I had heard nothing about it. Because of its fable-like telling, the story requires the reader to suspend disbelief as Bruno observes but doesn't quite understand the atrocities going on around him. (Since the book came out in 2006, many people have heard of it, though. Bruno is a 9-year-old boy, living a privileged and a protected life in Berlin during WWII.
A friend of mine in London recommended it to me. There are no kids to play with on his side of the fence, so Bruno (wide-eyed innocent that he is), makes friends with Shmuel, a boy who shares Bruno's birthdate but not his religion. His dad is a Nazi commandant in the process of being transferred to Auschwitz. It is now being used in English classes and school reading clubs. While these atrocities are merely hinted at, the book builds toward a powerful ending designed to inspire discussion -- and further reading. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a "young adult" book told in the form of a fable.
The jacket offers no explanation.
The fact that the Holocaust is told from the perspective of a nine-year-old is very interesting. Instead of worrying about how many stories his house has and how many friends he had acquired back in his old house, he begins to value small things, such as sitting with Schmuel talking.But as far as a story about the Holocaust goes, this novel is great. And, included at that spot is a conveniently placed hole that is just big enough for a boy their size. Don't worry, this review doesn't have any spoilers. Furthermore, the fact that both boys have exactly the same birthday is a little too perfect. Also, he tends to become less materialistic than he was at his home in Berlin. But still, these small flaws do not get in the way of a story that will both move you and make you really think.A-
While it is pretty unrealistic that Bruno would not be able to pronounce words like "Auschwitz" (He says Out-With) and "Fuhrer" (Fury), it does not distract from this great story.For starters, this novel is so much deeper than a story about the Holocaust. One of these is the fact that Schmuel can manage to meet with Bruno for a year without being caught at a place like Auschwitz. There are many aspects of the novel that are much too convenient and/or unrealistic. For one, it is about the main character discovering the humanity in all people, not just the ones that are socially at his level. Also, for me, the ending was totally shocking and I did not see anything like that coming.That being said, this book is not perfect.
:)The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was a great thought-provoking read. While not as graphic as other Holocaust novels are, this book allows you to read between the lines and fill in the blanks passed the book's simplistic descriptions. After the move, he discovered that each of his servants had a life all their own, each person having their own memories and experiences other than waiting on him. The naïveté of Bruno to what is happening to poor Schmuel is shattering. Before Bruno moved to "Out-With," he did not really seem to appreciate his maids, cooks, and butlers.
I enjoyed it very much. Dark, disturbing, clever, frustrating and well-plotted, it was both simple and complex - just the way I enjoy my books. Highly recommended. One of the few books that crosses over from a book that I will read to my child (in a few years), but one that I think would be an excellent discussion for my own book club. I thought it was amazing.
It is wonderful. I read it in no time and even want my 10 year old to read it. This was a great book and written very well. I loved the characters and it really pulls you in.
This book is definately for adults or a young adult reader, not a child though. i read this book rather quickly but did have to brush up on my WW2 history while reading this. It seemed unrealistic that a boy with such a high powered father was oblivious to what he did and who he worked under, however the story line is wonderful and easy to follow.
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