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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Oh man the ending of this book! I heard amazing things about the second book that came out recently so decided to listen to this one and while it was quick it packed a punch!
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5*.
'... Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.'
Oft, late to the party with this one, but what a superbly-crafted novel this is. Powerful, moving, gripping - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was a real treat, if that's the right word to use? Boyne has managed to write a beautiful story about such a heart-wrenching subject, and with all the subtlety and poise one would expect from a writer of his calibre.
The ending was, well, a bit 'meh', but Bruno and Shmuel's story will sure live long in the memory.
'... Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.'
Oft, late to the party with this one, but what a superbly-crafted novel this is. Powerful, moving, gripping - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was a real treat, if that's the right word to use? Boyne has managed to write a beautiful story about such a heart-wrenching subject, and with all the subtlety and poise one would expect from a writer of his calibre.
The ending was, well, a bit 'meh', but Bruno and Shmuel's story will sure live long in the memory.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, War
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Child death
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know how to rate this. It is beautiful in a way---if read as a fable or fantasy. I think it would be an ideal read for a classroom at the END of a unit on WWII or the Holocaust, but terrible as an introduction. Boyne clearly had a singular idea that he brought to fruition, and seen in that light, it is a wonder how he did so. While the message is solid and sadly still needed, the idea is so far-fetched and unrealistic, I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't tied to a historical event. In a way, his play on language allows that---or maybe calls on the reader to allow him this license.
I'm reading with my soon-t0-be 10 year old, and finished it without him so I can be prepared. While he knows enough about WWII to be annoyed at Bruno's cluelessness, he is still innocently unaware of just how cruel humankind can be.
I'm reading with my soon-t0-be 10 year old, and finished it without him so I can be prepared. While he knows enough about WWII to be annoyed at Bruno's cluelessness, he is still innocently unaware of just how cruel humankind can be.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Just finished my second book in the 2017 Reading Challenge, one that has been on my TBR list for way to long. I started "The Boy In The Striped Pajamas" a while back but couldn't finish it for a variety of reasons. It is an unbelievably simple read but there were so many unmentioned / hidden references. I really wanted to slap this kid for being so naive but I just blamed his parents for keeping him in the dark so long. It really should be a required read for 4/5 th grades after they have had their intro to basic world history. Perhaps it would give them some reason to question the world around them now. I enjoyed the book but, considering the fact that most people are not required to read it until high school, I expected a lot more depth.