Discussions
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Allyana Z
I heard an interview of John Boyne and he said he received many angry letters over this book from parent whose children read it and asked questions!
posted 5 years ago.
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Allyana Z
How can someone read this book and say "blah, blah"? I knew it was about the Holocaust but I interpreted it to be that if you bring any one group down, you get dragged down with it.
posted 5 years ago.
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judibea
You must read it angelgirl--it is one I will NEVER forget. I mentioned Bruno today to a colleagues. I told her we must remember to be like Bruno and meet the "other" so that we do not become like "them" who created "Outwith"
posted 4 years ago.
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Kimberly B
I saw a preview for a feature film based on the book due to come out this winter. Just seeing the previews brought back so many memories from the book. I don't know if I will see the movie - don't know if I want to run that emotional gauntlet again.
posted 4 years ago.
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Rebecca C
Yes read it. I think it is much more a book about being nieve than about the Holocaust. There are better Holocaust books out there, but I do not think there are too many books that are better at slowly and mysteriously evolving into such a remarkable ending.
posted 4 years ago.
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Lee M
I loved this book although I did find it hard to believe a 9 year old -- even a sheltered little boy-- could be soooo gullable.
posted 4 years ago.
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Avitty M
Yeah, it does seem slightly unrealistic that a 9 and a 12 year old in Germany at thing time woudn't even know what the countryside looked like. (I'm referring to early on in the book when the kids are theorising about what the camp is)
posted 3 years ago.
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Elise D
I love this book- its fantastic as a kids book and a adult book- plan to read it to my 7 year old if she's interested. I read this book in one day and cried my eyes out- took me 16 hours i think and I soaked it all up- not a race to finish. I met the author when he came over last year at a jewish school function- it was prescribed reading for a few jewish schools in and around Caufield (I have jewish connections (thanks Mish) and scrounged an invite with my mate Joe from uni). I got him to sign my copy so I treasure it always.
posted 4 years ago.
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Toniqua S
Do you believe that Mother and Lt. Kotler were having an affair?
I believe they were but I want to know your opinion?posted 4 years ago.
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graphicstudent
Quite possibly. Mother was obviously extremely upset with Father's decision of duty/job over family, and could have sought a better companion. However, Lt. Kotler would have been an even worse decision then Father for his cruel streak. And if she was having an affair, wouldn't she have wanted to stay? I thought that maybe Lt. Kotler was there to keep an eye on the loyalty (and influence of) Father's family.
posted 4 years ago.
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Toniqua S
Kotler had left by the time Mother decided she wanted to leave. Another reason I believed she was having the affair was because Bruno heard Mother and Father arguing right after Kotler was sent away.
posted 4 years ago.
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Kayla D
I honestly don't think so. If anything, Lt. Kotler was having inappropriate relations with Bruno's sister. I think Mother just finally woke up from Dreamland and realized that what Father was doing was not right, and she wanted to get out. I don't think the fighting really had anything to do with Kotler.
posted 4 years ago.
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KatieLiz removed this reply 4 years ago
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KatieLiz
I think they were. There was that part in the book where Mother came into the room not realizing that Bruno was there and was saying, "Hey sweetheart! (or some other endearment) I have some time now if..." Then she saw Bruno standing there. Then Lt. Kotler was sent away, which could have been because of the affair. And, of course the part where Bruno heard his parents arguing.”
posted 4 years ago.
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Penny
I just finished this book and as many have said, it took my breath away in the end. I believe that the author was also giving us a warning to look for signs. This COULD happen to us. One of the first things that happened in Germany was that firearms were confiscated leaving the people with nothing to defend themselves. I have said for many years that there has NEVER been a shortage of evil in this world. It COULD happen to us.
posted 4 years ago.
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Avitty M
I agree up to a point. Taking away firearms seems perfectly reasonable, the insane increase in CCTV, removal of internet rights and proposed ID cards are much more sinister and real in today's society.
posted 3 years ago.
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Carolyn M
I wanted to see the movie, but missed it. Is the book worthwhile? Is it sad??
posted 4 years ago.
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Dana D
I did not read the book, but the movie is a must see!!! So powerful and the fact that it's done from the child's perspective was just amazing!!
posted 4 years ago.
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Rian M
I didn't know there was a movie. I may be only 12, but this book was fantastic.
I am really interested about World War 2 and this booked seemed to show many facts about it, whilst telling a brilliant story. The book is sad but i'll let you find out why for yourself.posted 4 years ago.
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Ann S
I have not read this book (yet) but I did see the film. I was profoundly shaken for days after seeing the film. I'm sure the book is even more vivid. A look at the Holocaust from a different point of view.
posted 4 years ago.
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Elaine T
Fabulous book, read it in 2007 for Sydney Writer's Festival. Seen movie recently, reminded me how sad the book was. A must-read for young adults and adults who are born after the 50s. Maybe, forgive these WW2 crimes but never forget.
posted 4 years ago.
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Shirley R
John, Allbooks Review would love to review and promo this book, visit www.allbookreviews.com and contact me.”
posted 4 years ago.
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Martha O
I was haunted by the ending. It ended in a way I never expected it to. I won't say how it ended, but I will say it end in a dark, dark irony. My fiance is Jewish, and his mother lost family in the Holocaust.
posted 4 years ago.
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Clarisse
This book was kinda creepy and scary. The ending was very sad. I think that they are going to make a movie.
posted 4 years ago.
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Nikki
This is a fantastic book! Read through the eyes of a child, it is an insight into two very different lives during WW2. I don't want to give any clues away...but it will stop your heart!!!!
posted 4 years ago.
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Twilightmaniatic!
Sure you have, i read it in 2 hours and i cry like a crazy!!
you must to!posted 4 years ago.
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M.S
I personaly loved this book from the start to the end. But even though the end is so sad, it was a really, really good book. :)
posted 3 years ago.
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vanessa g
The boy in the stripped Pajamas:
I book is about this little German boy name Bruno who’s father is a Nazi General during Hitler’s rise. Bruno one day has to move away with his family from Berlin to Poland. In Poland he meets Shmuel in his back yard, along with other ‘famers’ (Jews), wearing pajamas. Shmuel and Bruno become good friends. They eventually die together in a concentration camp.
This book is wonderful to do when covering the Holocaust and friendship. Students can compare books during that time periods well. This can also be a history lesson and Geography because it takes place during WWII in Germany.posted 4 years ago.
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My Library Lady
To truly understand this book you must know thie history of the Holocaust. In addition, I think to be fully impacted by it, you must also be a parent or have children in your life. This is one of those books that anyone who loves a well written book will respect. It is a marvel at point of view and tells Bruno's story in a pure and truly child-like way.
posted 4 years ago.
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steerpike
This book is superb for many reasons. The film which I saw after reading the book, bears no resemblance whatsoever !!
posted 4 years ago.
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MDP
I did not fee the movie 'bears no resemblance' -- a few details were left out or emphases changed, but major issues there. Still I think the best way to approach is to read book first, then watch movie. I wish I were still a teacher and teaching this in a combined history/reading classroom.
To Toniqua--yes, the book suggests the mother and Kotler were having an affair, though the movie didn't suggest that at all (and movie suggest Kotler gets in trouble for a different reason). I thought that was a way of minimizing an intial tendency to make the mother a 'better' character than the father--she was flawed too.posted 3 years ago.
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This is touching and sad story that everyone should read. There were parts, especially towards the end that made my heart drop and tears roll down my face. It is slow at first, but then gets good and it's such an easy read that I couldnt put it down, it was worth evry minute of reading.
posted 3 years ago.
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Emily L
It's hard to imagine that someone could live through the Holocaust without even knowing it was going on!
posted 3 years ago.
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Captain Blackbird
Not if that someone is a child. There were adults during the time that were unaware as well. Wasn't too difficult since a lot of it was hush-hush, and all of the propaganda.
posted 3 years ago.
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micksangel
I adored this book it was beautifully written from a child's perspective I was thinking about my 9 year old nephew as I was reading and wondered how he would have made sense of such a situation and as for the ending all I can say is WOW....
posted 3 years ago.
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Little Miss Sunshine
I liked the book very much is was a very heartfelt book it goes to show how life was hard back than in War World II. Especially when you had a mind of your own. This book also shows that if people stop judging by color, race, money etc... We can all help eachother and live in a peacefull crime free world. As well as about the movie that was made ... yes, it's definetly not the book but I think it was a great attempt. As "you can never put a book into a movie".
posted 3 years ago.
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Janelle=)
great book,
movie had a stupid ending, he died, and then nothing happened!posted 3 years ago.
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Brendon
I had to read this for my reading class, and had to highlite and write in it. it was a great book. I just didn't like it as much as I would have.
I'm watching the movie in my reading class soon. I hope it's as good as the book.posted 3 years ago.
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steerpike
An example of my meaning: The relationships between Father & Son, Brother & Sister, the framework on which the book is constructed, conflict from book to film. The book conveys a much stricter or severe relationship between Father & Son as it does between Brother & Sister.
posted 3 years ago.
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tapas t
movies are never as good as the book. But stand-alone, the movies IS pretty funny n crazzyy...especially the part where Y keeps seeing his dying gunner (i think, or was it a copilot)
posted 3 years ago.
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Robert G
100% yes! The movie is as good as the book. It was really sad (The movie) and you just have to pause it every scene to stop and just cry your eyes out. If you are 11 and over and you learned about the Holocaust, definietly see the movie!
posted 3 years ago.
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kay kay
really awesome book. he's so innocent, and some things are cutely funny. really sad, but touching ending. the relationship between him, his Jewish friend, his parents, his sister, and the other soldiers are so unique...fantastic.
posted 3 years ago.
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tapas t removed this reply 3 years ago
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Adam H removed this reply 3 years ago
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Christian S
Title: The Boy and the Striped Pajamas
Author: John Boyne
Genre: Historical Fiction
This book is about a young boy named Bruno who is brought to this house at a place he doesn’t like but has too deal with it. The reason he moves to this place is because the Fury as big things in mind for his father. The rest f the family is too happy about the move either as much as Bruno. I liked this book more a few books I’ve read it have a good story line to it and the book is funny in ways. To me I thought it was a really good book and I think you should plan on reading it.posted 3 years ago.
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will t
i have never actually read it but i have heard about it and i really want to see and read it
posted 3 years ago.
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Robert G
I read this book and I did not cry, but it was very powerful. However, when I saw the movie at school, multiple students cried and I did have to look away from some parts including the part when the young Nazi beats the old Jewish man to death. The last scene really hit me and it was very sad. :'( Never forget this horrible time.
posted 3 years ago.
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michelle l
i say that the boy in the striped pajamas was sad i cried in the book and in the movie too
posted 3 years ago.
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Claire K removed this reply 3 years ago
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Ashley Nicole
I just got done reading it and it took for ever. I thought that I'd never get into this book and then right at the middle I just couldn't put it down. I didn't cry but I almost did I had to put the book down to stop myself. I can't wait to see the movie now. If it's half as good as the book then I'l like it too.
posted 2 years ago.
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Jen
Truly amazing book, makes you think and reminds you of all who were effected by this horrible tragedy that was this war. It also pleasantly reminds you of the innocence of youth and how it was when you didn't notice the differences in people, you were just friends. It's a tough one, but totally worth the time and effort.
posted 2 years ago.
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Sunny
it is not really sad to me it is about real life this is the truth in the world
posted 2 years ago.
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ALEX
i just finished reading and i think it's quite touching but i didnt get the end ?
posted 2 years ago.
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Treva W
The end is the most terrifying part of the book. The two boys walk into the extermination chamber together, the whole while with Bruno trusting that anything that his father is connected to must be safe and good. It is one of those times in books that I want to yell out to the characters to stop and save themselves. Instead, they walk together to their deaths -- one a son of a Nazi and one a Jew.
posted 2 years ago.
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Phoebe <3
I was confused a little there too.... I thought at the end they were both shot, but I'm not sure.
posted 2 years ago.
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MaxM19
Ok! This book was boring the movie was even more boring! And this book is so depressing! I know its the war but John Boyne could make some exciting parts to! Come on John you can do better!
posted 2 years ago.
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divya a
Have seen the movie......looking forward to read the book. The movie was quite depressing.....!!!
posted 2 years ago.
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james c
why would you see the movie before the book likenow yu know how it ends....
posted 2 years ago.
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poketlynnt
The end of this book is haunting me! I never expected a happy ending, but the end of this book is devastating. Obviously it's not 100% historically accurate (as some have complained), but it's fiction. A powerful must-read.
posted 2 years ago.
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Mary Ann R
I'm confused about the "Hopeless Case" thing, does anyone know what this is supposed to imply? I mean, he said it had something to do with a doctor saying that, and that is what confused me. So. I'm guessing its another one of those misinterpretations of Bruno's but I'm not sure what it is all about.
posted 2 years ago.
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poketlynnt
I think the sister is a typical young teenager - restless, bored and snotty - and Bruno probably heard his parents saying "she's a helpless case" (since she's going through a phase). That's how I looked at it, anyway.
posted 2 years ago.
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Book Lover
Should I read this I got rid of copy because I wasn't so sure about this so what do you recommend I should read this or not?
posted 1 year ago.
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AmyAmy
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(contains spoilers)
1. Did this change your view of the Holocaust in any way?
2. What did you think of this simplistic writing style?
3. What was Lieutenant Kotler hiding about his father?
4. What was the significance of uniforms in this story?
5. Why is this a fable and not a novel?
6. Is it feasible of a nine-year-old not to know what was going on with the war in 1942?
7. Hitler’s mistress Eva is kind and compassionate in this book. Was that true?
8. Did you notice that point of view changed to Shmuel’s near the end?
9. What did you think of “the Hopeless Case”?
10. In reality, would Shmuel have been allowed to sit by the fence most afternoons?
11. If you were in the army and a commander ordered you to shoot a group, would you ?
Have you ever compromised yourself under peer pressure?
12. Have you ever betrayed a friend who really needed you to stick up for them?
13. Did Bruno come to realize any of the horror that was happening?
14. Why does Shmuel forgive Bruno?
15. Did Bruno come to realize any of the horror that was happening?
16. Gretel thinks Jews are inferior, Bruno does not. Why?posted 1 year ago.
