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

reflective fast-paced

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

2.0

To be honest, I didn't find much enjoyment in reading this particular book. I had anticipated a historical fiction, but instead, the author chose to portray life in Auschwitz, or "Out-With", in a rather subdued manner. In my opinion, no words can truly capture the horrific events that occurred there, and this book seemed to downplay them. It's difficult to believe that the most notorious concentration camp of WWII could have overlooked a couple of children talking near the fence. Furthermore, the way the main character, Bruno, reacted to his surroundings seemed unrealistic. Although he was just a child, there were certain details that even children would have noticed, but Bruno did not. The story did not even provide a heartwarming friendship narrative as I had hoped. The repetitive use of certain phrases, such as describing the sister as a "Hopeless Case," became tedious and predictable. Additionally, it was hard to believe that Bruno couldn't correctly pronounce the name of the camp despite having read it multiple times. In summary, I was left feeling disappointed with this book, and I don't believe it effectively conveyed its intended message.