A review by jedwin00
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

5.0

This book is about a the family of a commander of the German concentration camp Auschwitz. It shows us the story through the eyes of the Nazi commander's son, Bruno. What I found unique and interesting about the book is that it presents the story through the eyes of an innocent child. Another feature I enjoyed was that it shows us that all Germans weren't anti-Semitic, it also includes a the viewpoints of the Jewish sympathisers. For example, Bruno's grandparents are furiously angry at their son for accepting a job at the Jewish concentration camp, Auschwitz. Something that I feel could have been worked on was the relationship between Bruno and his sister. I feel like this would have educated the reader on how the Nazi propaganda affected the German people. I especially enjoyed the characters, especially the Jewish prisoner and Bruno's friend, Shmuel, who is born on the same day as Bruno and is seen as Bruno's Jewish double, a feature I found interesting and well presented. the Jewish helper, who showed the reader the humanity of his mom. Overall the book left a lasting impression through the interesting metaphors and captivating imagery. it was a good, interesting read.