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curtisjclough's review against another edition
3.0
This may be an acclaimed work, but at the end of the day it is about a Nazi child-groomer. You can't escape that as it's a fact. It does make this a challenging read because of the subject matter and you can't escape that. I do think that there are interesting things to explore, especially around the culpability and responsibility of those people who worked for the Nazi's in concentration camps. Yet, I just felt uneasy reading this. Maybe that's the point?
valeria_wiwinius's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
backyardreader's review against another edition
2.0
The grand ideas and themes were thought provoking but the writing wasn't for me. Maybe it was the translation? It felt jumbled and rushed with too little transitionary context.
mitzyvee's review against another edition
4.0
I just read this book for the first time after a few years of owning it. Once i started, i couldnt put it down. i thought the "shameful secret" Hana had was pretty obvious, so in terms of shock, twists, suspenseful turns, it was disappointing. But the story telling was beautiful. I loved how Michael Berg described reading--the way it transports you, the way it both occupies your mind and envelopes your senses. The way he describes his love for Hana is beautiful--the "snapshots" he tries to capture is wonderful. The prose itself (even in translation) is eloquent in its simplicity. The plot itself may have been obvious, but the relationship complex & sweet.
softrosemint's review against another edition
5.0
To me, this was a stunning and thought-provoking mediation on morality and the conscious of a nation. Schlink achieves with fascinating effectiveness to make the reader complicit in a moral dilemma, the likes of which we do not seem to like to ponder much nowadays.
I did not expect for this novel to engage me quite like it did and for that experience, I am grateful.
I did not expect for this novel to engage me quite like it did and for that experience, I am grateful.
nora_d_tinta_y_papel's review against another edition
4.0
Este es uno de esos libros en los que me es un poco complejo decidir la calificación. A mi parecer es una historia estupenda. Llena de significado y con mucha información para analizar. No quiero explayarme para no hacer spoiler. Hay muchas "cosas" que no están bien, al menos no para los ojos de nuestro tiempo, ¿serán acaso reflejo de lo que pasa en la segunda mitad del libro? ¿O es la forma de mostrar el día a día "humanizar" a un personaje que, a vista de muchos, podría resultar reprobable y monstruoso? Abierta al debate y a compartir ideas.
h4nn4h_24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rinjudes's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5