Reviews with content warning for Pedophilia - The Reader

NOT for the faint of heart. Those who gave a negative review might need to revisit the subject matter in a different headspace. At first, I almost couldn't get past the first section. I am so glad that I kept reading.

The plot of the first section is nauseating. The character development and the writing made the entire thing worth it. I think this is a beautiful book about deep trauma and second-generation guilt after the Holocaust. Incredible writing, too!

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remus_j_lupin's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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martuchi's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I hated this book.

I hated how the author wanted to redeem a Nazi criminal and pedophile. I hated every single thing about this book: the characters, the constant justification of the Nazi party (who has, by the way, ZERO REDEEMABLE QUALITIES), and the overall romance aspect (that had no romance at all, in my opinion).

Maybe the author wanted to be in a middle ground regarding this situation, but the thing is, with the Holocaust there is no middle ground. It’s history and it can’t be altered (this is no 1984). There is no black and white in this: Hanna was an officer for one of the camps. I don’t fucking care if she was illiterate or not, she deserves the biggest punishment in prison. And I hate the ending with my life.

I first thought the manipulative relationship the main characters had was the worst thing about the novel, but I am saddened to be wrong, because from the Second Part of the book, it became much worse.

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