A review by mitzyvee
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

4.0

I just read this book for the first time after a few years of owning it. Once i started, i couldnt put it down. i thought the "shameful secret" Hana had was pretty obvious, so in terms of shock, twists, suspenseful turns, it was disappointing. But the story telling was beautiful. I loved how Michael Berg described reading--the way it transports you, the way it both occupies your mind and envelopes your senses. The way he describes his love for Hana is beautiful--the "snapshots" he tries to capture is wonderful. The prose itself (even in translation) is eloquent in its simplicity. The plot itself may have been obvious, but the relationship complex & sweet.