3.02k reviews for:

Čitač

Bernhard Schlink

3.65 AVERAGE


I have no idea how to categorize this one. It's odd, cold, and detached. I kept reading it so I can't give it 2 stars. I was very clinical and detached toward the characters so I can't give it 4. It falls into the 3-star category simply because I continued the experience. I always wanted to squeeze in one more chapter (most were 4-6 pages long), but I wouldn't say I had any emotional attachment. This may be due to the POV and the coldness of the narrator. Perhaps it lost quite a bit in translation from German to English. However it came about, the experience of reading this was like being in a room temperature bath. No bubble bath, no candles, no real heat to the water. Simply a tepid experience, and yet I don't regret reading it
emotional informative reflective medium-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I know that THE READER is an international bestseller and prestigious literary review magazines and newspapers call it “erotic,” “mesmerizing,” “fascinating,” and all of those impressive adjectives, but I really did not see the appeal of this book. Schlink’s narration reads like Michael attempting to psychoanalyze himself and philosophize on his actions. The narrative distance made it difficult for me to connect to and empathize with Michael. Very little occurs in the book, and what happens, actually happened before the time in which Michael narrates his story, due to the distant narration thing. I read this book for a class, and overall, I was extremely unsatisfied. It would definitely have been a book I would’ve stopped reading had I not read it for a class.

A unique look into the aftermath of World War II.
challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
dark emotional reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging informative reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Die Odyssee ist 
die Geschichte einer Bewegung, zugleich zielgerichtet und ziellos, erfolgreich und vergeblich. Was ist die Geschichte des Rechts anders!
- Michael Berg -

Plot-Twists und überraschend tief greifend. Positiv überrascht von diesem Klassiker!
challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional informative reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated