Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - The Reader

The Reader is a book that pulls you in. Schlink's narrative style, clipped sentences, and the reflective nature of the content creates a tangible window into Michael's world and the dilemmas faced by the generation of Germans born right after the Holocaust. I did not particularly like Michael or Hanna. Both are intrinsically flawed individuals, but their characters and the way they interact are written in a relatable way. You can understand them even as you hate what they are justifying. I've read this book repeatedly and with every re-read I am older and

more disturbed by the content and the characters' continued justification of pedophilia and Michael's active sympathize for Hanna despite knowing she was a Nazi who sent Jews to their deaths, all to avoid her illiteracy being made common knowledge. I like that she was offered no absolution by the last living member of the group of women she guarded, and I think the unsatisfactory ending fits well with the realities of life after reconciling with the unforgivably actions of a loved one. Part of me wishes there was more direct acknowledgement of the way Hanna's sexual and emotional abuse impacted Michael. The other part of me knows that Michael's continued devotion to her in sending the cassettes, keeping her letters, and his inability to form and maintain close interpersonal relationships is indirectly addressing that impact, and that directly addressing it would have taken away from the reflective, almost voyeuristic nature of the novel.

Content Warnings

annase's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Content Warnings

tawallah's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Content Warnings

preciouslittleingenue's review

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dark reflective tense 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 realized halfway through this book that I’d seen scathing reviews for the movie, and I remembered exactly why I didn’t watch the movie. The centralization of the plight of a literal Nazi SS officer over the Holocaust survivors is just awful. Poor woman became SS because she’s illiterate. Then sent Jews to be murdered for five years. I hate it. I do not feel bad for this woman. She also groomed a FIFTEEN YEAR OLD. Literally what is good about this book. I was sick to my stomach during the entire “love affair” section and just pissed beyond belief during the trial section, and then I didn’t give a damn when she killed herself. Because she’s a Nazi. And then AGAIN the narrator speaks to the actual holocaust survivor and she is cast as such a background character. It’s sickening. I hated this book sorry.

Content Warnings

poirot's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Content Warnings

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