A review by martuchi
El lector by Bernhard Schlink

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 hated this book. 

I hated how the author wanted to redeem a Nazi criminal and pedophile. I hated every single thing about this book: the characters, the constant justification of the Nazi party (who has, by the way, ZERO REDEEMABLE QUALITIES), and the overall romance aspect (that had no romance at all, in my opinion).

Maybe the author wanted to be in a middle ground regarding this situation, but the thing is, with the Holocaust there is no middle ground. It’s history and it can’t be altered (this is no 1984). There is no black and white in this: Hanna was an officer for one of the camps. I don’t fucking care if she was illiterate or not, she deserves the biggest punishment in prison. And I hate the ending with my life. 

I first thought the manipulative relationship the main characters had was the worst thing about the novel, but I am saddened to be wrong, because from the Second Part of the book, it became much worse. 
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