Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Do we ever have the right or the ability to judge someone for their crimes?
Can we ever atone for our crimes?
Is there ever a way for us to be happy without first knowing pain?
Can you love without knowing?
The Reader raises some questions that I am not sure anyone can answer. Through Michael Berg's relationship with Hanna Schmitz we are exposed to their complex and somewhat criminal relationship which reveals the multiple facets of Hanna's personality. At first the cougar seductress, then the abusive lover, to the criminal, becomes a figure of repentance and ends the tragic memory.
For someone interested in World War II, and more specifically the Holocaust, The Reader provides a new outlook. We read of the struggle for German teenagers to deal with their parent's shames, for the regret and anger left from the War, to the devasted society that was Germany after Hitler.
My only critic of this book has nothing to do with the actual book itself. I found that the translation I read had many mistakes. I do not know if they were written in purposefully, but I found distracting.
"And if I was not guilty because one cannot be guilty of betraying a criminal, then I was guilty of having loved a criminal."
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Genocide, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, War
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
This story was underdeveloped. Even at the end I felt like I was only vaguely familiar with the characters. I do not recommend this book.