A review by finallyfinnian
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

3.0

It's hard not to compare this to The Book Thief, especially since I read them so close together. But this is an entirely different experience. It's told like a "Once upon a time" story and though the narrator is omniscient, the childlike language puts us into Bruno, the nine-year-old protagonist's, frame of mind. It's a fast, engaging read. The characters, especially the two boys, are compelling.

There are problems with the book - things that grated on me. The kid being so innocent he had never heard the word "Jew" in his life. His family is high enough in the nazi party that Hitler comes to their house. Maybe Bruno is terribly sheltered but...

I think this reads like a book written for young adults and some of the language is simplistic. But it's good. It's fiction and probably isn't meant to dig deep into the horrors of the Holocaust.

Overall, I enjoyed it.