Review: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Bruno and his family lived in Berlin during World War II. His father was an officer in the Army. Bruno was a typical nine-year old – his life revolved around family, friends and school. When he found Maria, his family’s maid, packing up his belongings one day, he discovered that his family was moving. Bruno was very unhappy at “Out-With” (as Bruno called it) at first. His sister Gretel was three years older than him and they really didn’t get along that well, so he had no one to play with. His father was working and his mother was distant.
From his bedroom window, Bruno could see Auschwitz concentration camp and all the people in it and couldn’t understand why they had to stay on their side of the fence and he had to stay on his. He decided to go exploring one day and encountered a young Polish boy, Shmuel, on the other side of the fence who shares his birthday. The boys struck up an unlikely friendship and met almost daily to talk.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a great book that will really make you think and leave you teary-eyed and sad. It’s about blind ambition and prejudices and how both can cloud our judgement and affect everyone around us. I didn’t see the ending coming and it left me feeling shocked. It’s written at a Young Adult level, but I’m not sure I would classify it as a Young Adult novel. Some knowledge of Nazi Germany is required in order to truly understand the book.
Another one that’s on my wish list.
I have this on my mp3 player, but I haven’t been in the mood to listen. I know it’s a powerful and emotional book. Nice review.
I have had this book on reserve at my local library since March 21 and I am still #30 in line!! With each great review I become more and more anxious to read it for myself.
This book was very powerful. It knocked me off my socks! Great review!
I think a lot of this book’s power is in its simplicity.
I haven’t had any desire to see the movie though. For some reason, I can deal with the sadness in my head better than watching it on a screen.
I’d like to see this movie, I didn’t realize it was also a book, now they’re both on my list!
This is the kind of book that I would like to read, but I don’t because I think I’d have nightmares. (I know that I’ve had nightmares after reading other holocaust books.)
Someday, someday. . . 🙂
Lezlie
I think this came from an interesting perspective – one I had never read before. Very good book.
You know me well enough to know this sounds like one I’d love. I will add it to my list immediately.
I’d like to read this one. Sounds interesting.
I’d like to read this, too. It might even be a possibility for the next time my bookclub does a book and movie discussion.
I thought this was a powerful book. The story builds so quietly.
I really enjoyed this book Kathy. I remember when I finished it, I just sat there crying and pondering the ending. Definitely one that I will read again someday.
I was really impressed with this book when I read it last year and I have the movie sitting by my tv, but haven’t had a chance to watch it.
Great review Kathy. I am waiting for this to come in at the library so that I can read it. Sounds like a very emotional book.
I always wanted to let you know that I have an award for you on my blog called You don’t say that you can pick up anytime.
I’ve been wanting to read this one. Bumping it up on my tbr now based on your review. Thanks!
I listened to this one and thought the audio version was very well done.
I don’ t have this book. I have been wanting to buy it.. I think I will at lunch today. Thank you for the review.
I like that this story is told from a nine-year-old’s perspective. They tend to see life in basic and simple terms. I’m sure that adds to the power of the story.
Good review.
I like reading books on Nazi Germany. Sad I know. This book seems exactly my type. Thanks for the review.
It still amazes me that I haven’t read this book yet! Also, the movie never came here, so I didn’t get to see that either!
I just finished reading this too!! I can’t wait to read your review…but I need to get mine written up first. I loved this book, loved it. I will for sure have my boys read it when they are a little older.
I think I just figured out why this book didn’t impact me the way it did others: the ending didn’t take me by surprise. I saw it coming from pages and pages away. In some ways this wasn’t a good Read-a-thon book, because once I did figure out where Boyne was going, I was impatient to be done with it.
Don’t get me wrong, I did like the book and would recommend it–but I’m glad to have sorted out why other people are raving about it so much and I’m not!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, I did too. I also saw the movie and it was done really well but the slight differences made it feel a bit like another version of the story. Worth watching.
This sounds like an amazing book. Books about the holocaust are so important to read lest we forget this horrible tragedy. They can be so painful but inspiring to read. I like that this is told from the perspective of a young child. My son is 10 but I don’t think I would want him to read this kind of book yet. The Book Thief was also listed as YA but I would recommend it for older teens, high school age.
I’ve seen this book everywhere lately and everyone seems shocked by the end! Great review 🙂
I read and loved this. Great review.
I’m glad you liked it, Kathy!
I’m going to have to put this on my list for the WWII Challenge. It takes a talent to write thru the innocent eyes of a child.
i’ve seen reviews of this book around and i really want to read it–and see if i can incorporate it into our school’s curriculum. i’ll have to check it out. thanks for a good review with a teaser ending.
I want to read this. I’m really curious about the twist at the end. Almost every review I’ve read has mentioned how shocking it was.
Honestly, Bruno completely annoyed me, to the point where I didn’t enjoy this all that much. He seemed a bit too old for the over-the-top naivete.
I really need to get a copy of this book, I keep reading such wonderful reviews.
I’ve heard so many good things about this book, and I can’t wait to read it. Nice review!
I’ve only seen the trailer for the movie (I haven’t read this or seen it either) and it nearly broke my heart so I probably won’t read this anytime soon.
I’m glad you liked this one. Thanks for the review.
Thank you for such a great review, Kathy.
I really want to read this book! It sounds fascinating. I heard about the film as well; it was released in 2008, and I would love to see the movie as well.
I have read and reviewed several first-hand accounts of survivors from Auschwitz-Berkenhau and other Nazi Concentration Camps…they are very troubling, sickening and so very, very sad.
I agree with you; I don’t think that this book should be marketed as a young adult novel either.
Most that have read this book have recommended it. I walked by it in the library again the other day. One of these days I’ll pick it up when I have less on my plate. Thanks for the review.
I really want to read this one for the WWII challenge. I saw the movie and cried. What a powerful story! Would it be okay to link to your review at War Through the Generations?
–Anna
Yet another WWII book…Hmmm….I am beginning to see a pattern…perhaps these books are calling to you for a reason? perhaps it is the WWII Reading Challenge sending you subliminal messages….
Have you watched the movie? One of the best movie adaptations from a book I’ve ever seen. It was fantastic.
I posted a clip of your review on the challenge page:
http://warthroughthegenerations.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/reviews-boy-striped-pjs/
🙂