Title: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Author: John Boyne
Pages: 224
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Copyright: 2006
Format: Paperback
Rating: 
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The back of this book provides the following “teaser”:
The story of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the jacket, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about. If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn’t a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence. Fences like this exist all over the world. We hope you never have to encounter such a fence.
Still, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that this book is about the Holocaust. An innocent German boy and an imprisoned Jewish boy become friends in an unlikely time and place.
I truly enjoyed this self-proclaimed fable. The story is pretty predictable. The ignorance/innocence of Bruno is, at times, a little unbelievable. (His father is a commandant in the SS Army, and yet Bruno claims not to know what Jew is or where Poland is.) Those things aside, the writing and story flowed easily. I was interested in Bruno’s experiences and the larger implications for today’s society. This story stayed with me.
I would recommend this as a quick read to those who can stomach Holocaust stories (i.e., stories with sad endings).
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
This was one of my top 10 favorites from last year. I’m glad you enjoyed it also. I don’t really have any desire to see the movie though. I think I can deal with the sadness easier on print than on screen.
I’ve been interested in this one for a while. Yet another to add to the list.
I’ve been interested in it for a while too, but I’ve yet to pick it up. Must change that.
I read this back in January with my bookclub. I really enjoyed it as well. I just wish there was more to the end of the story than how it ended. But none the less, I still loved it.
This one is on my wish list – I’m glad you liked it.
That back of the book blurb is awesome! I’m so glad they didn’t give away the story.
I’ve had this on my to read list for awhile. I’ll have to check it out soon.
I found the ending shocking.
When I read this I didn’t know it was about the holocaust and was shocked when I realized where the story was going. I saw the movie and really liked it. I’ll probably buy it.
I’ve just finished this book too. I loved it’s simplicity, but agree that certain aspects of it were a bit unlikely. I’m willing to forgive this though, as it was such a good book.
I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while but it was only recently added to the shelves at my library. It’s just a matter of time now.
I liked this one so well I’m going to be using it for middle schoolers this year.