The Reader is the story of Michael Berg. The main protagonist who looks back at a relationship he had at 15 years old with an older woman; Hanna Schmitz. The affair took place over a Summer and ended as abruptly as it began when Hanna disappears leaving no forwarding address.
Deeply effected by this in the years following, Michael, now a law student, comes into contact with Hanna in a unexpected way when he follows her trial for atrocities she committed during the Second World War.
The prose in The Reader is quite sparse, relatively simple and very easy to read. The novel almost hides the fact that the story and themes are far heavier than the prose style and the short length suggests.
The novel looks at Nazi guilt within later generations. How would it feel if your parents, grandparents were there and yet did nothing? Or, even worse, participated in the terrible acts? It is a question that Michael and his fellow students spend a lot of time thinking about. Michael also has to come to terms with the fact that, as in the case of Hanna, not all war criminals are born evil, yet they are evil when they 'go along with it'. This is brought forth with frightening clarity when Hanna questions her judge with 'what would YOU have done?'
I loved the main themes of the book and found them extremely thought provoking and I think this would make a brilliant book club read. However what let the novel down slightly were the actual characters. At just over 200 pages the novel has to fit in huge themes and quite a lot of sex so unfortunately the characters suffered slightly because of this. I never really understood Hanna, she didn't come alive even when seen through Michael's eyes and she was more of an instrument to make a point rather than a three dimensional person with a voice.
The central point of the story is that there are some crimes that are so horrific that a person simply cannot atone for them. This is a powerful message and it really struck a cord with me.
I have a few reservations about The Reader overall, it's certainly not a book I am going to forget in a hurry.
Verdict 4/5
Posted by Jess
I loved this book too - there was so much inside so few pages. I didn't find Hanna two-dimensional but I agree that she was ahrd to reall understand. I think that may have been how Schlink her to be though? I would love to read this one again and see if I get anything new from it
ReplyDeleteI also really liked this book. They did a nice job with the movie too, if you haven't seen it.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was really good. I have the book but someone lent it to me after I had watched it, I didn't realise as I would have read it first.
ReplyDeleteRead this on the beach in Aruba several years ago and liked it a lot. Great review Jessica
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved the film version of this, but haven't read the book. You've convinced me I should though!
ReplyDeleteI agree it's a powerful book. Hannah struck me as a very damaged person, and obviously very secretive. I thought it was a unique take on the aftermath of the war.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing review! I loved this book. I agree with you that it would make an interesting book club read. I read it for school and our class spent hours in heated arguments about several aspects of the text.
ReplyDeleteGreat review of a very thought-provoking book. Like you mentioned, there's quite a bit of heavy philosophical lifting hidden in the sparse prose and low page count.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read this one for years. I will have to make time for it.
ReplyDeleteThis book was a let down for me. The edition I read had the slogan "the revelation of Hanna's final secret will make you question everything you know" and whilst I thought there were some important themes, it didn't live up to that.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to see the movie adaptation; you've convinced me to give the book a go first :)
ReplyDeleteBecky - I dunno, I mean even her big revalation was just really a tool for her to join the SS, I thought she had more character in the film but I think thats more to do with Kate Winslets performance rather than the script. It would be interesting to re-read it one day.
ReplyDeletePam - I did see the movie after reading the book and I though it was very faithful overall.
Marce - TBH the film is so faithful to the book anyway that you won't get a huge amount more out of the book.
Diana - can't say its my idea of a perfect beach read LOL
mummazappa - if you loved the film then you will love the book as they are so similar in themes and atmosphere.
Marieke - I thought the different take of the war was very interesting as it really was about that 2nd or 3rd generation. very thought provoking.
Lucia - I can imagine some of the discussions that the novel sparked! The kind of thing where so many debates can spring up from, Id love to read this as a book club member
petekarnas - quite a fast read though? sometimes even short books can be slow going when stuffed with major themes but this really wasn't the case with this one.
Carrie - it'll be interesting to see what you think. I would suggest mulling over it a few days though before typing you thoughts as its that kind of book.
Sam - I knew Hannas secret before I started so that wasn't a surprise for me, but see my first comment, I though her secret was just more of a devise than anything really. Its the character of Hanna which stopped me really loving this book.
Emily Jane - I dont often say this, but either the book or the film would be fine to watch first, their so similar!
I thought this one was a powerful one too. The thing that stood out to me the most was the next generation's guilt that you mentioned. Imagine coming to terms with your parents actions in Germany during WWII. I agree the movie was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this book or film what an admission! What was the original language, German?
ReplyDeleteI thought this book was rather wonderful when I read it. The movie actually was almost as good too, the scene with The Lady and The Lapdog still makes me quite emotional just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteAvid Reader - the guilt theme was what made the book really, I ust thought it was about some woman who cant read :)
ReplyDeleteLindyLouMac - it was orginally written in german but like many others I only heard of it because of the film.
Simon - ah yeah, some bits were done better in the film I thouht like when Hanna meets Michael in prison and she says 'I learnt to read kid'
I love this book to bits and was bowled over by the movie which Kate did a marvellous job as Hannah and scripts follow closely to the book which is amazing as the book is only that small. A bit of extension at the end of the movie which is not found in the book though. It was painful to watch Ralph Fiennes being snubbed by the Holocaust victim in New York.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very polarizing book. I read it for a book discussion and people either hated it or loved it (I was in the hated it group!). I think it does make a good book for discussion...but I disliked Hannah so much and, like you, just did not understand her. I also did not care for Schlink's writing style.
ReplyDeleteWell said! I liked this book because it gave me a lot to think about with regard to guilt, etc. I didn't understand Hanna either or her relationship with Michael. I've added a link to your review on War Through the Generations.
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