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Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “A short, but very profound book! Loaded with ethical and moral dilemmas. It doesn't take long to read this novel, but it stays with long after you turn the last page. Very thought-provoking. I read this again after watching the recent movie with Kate Winslett's fabulous portrayal of Hanna.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Never thought I'd say this about any book, but the movie is better than the book.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“That took TOO long to read. A little on the heavy side. Can get a bit boring if it's not your thing. Sad ending too. ”
Mara wrote this review 7 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was a very interesting book, but really not what I expected it to be. Admittedly, I actually saw the movie first. But, after watching it, I had hoped that there would be more to these very interesting characters in the book. Unfortunately, the background detail that I wanted, the thoughts and more detail was not present in this novel. The film was actually a very traditional adaptation - in fact, I was almost a little disappointed at just how good of an adaptation the movie was from the book! There were no surprises in the book, and it was a very fast read. The book was very interesting, but something was lacking from both the film and the book - a better sense of the characters, details... just that certain something... without it, both felt a little flat. ”
Victoria K wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“O leitor (Brasil)”
Nilton Canto wrote this review Tuesday, April 9, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The writing is astute in some parts of the text. Few things came as surprises. But the overall plot was predictable.”
Anvita Mishra wrote this review Tuesday, April 2, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“this book deals with German 2nd generation. their guilt their disavowment from the wartime generation, and the eventual reconciliation as time passed. written by a German of the 2nd generation, this book is very interesting perspective on post-war time Germany. ”
Yaron Binder wrote this review Monday, April 1, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This exceptional novel explores the complex relationship between Hanna and Michael against a backdrop of post war Germany and the differing impact of guilt for their respective generations. The tale of the central relationship is sensitively told and the difficult context is examined through their respective experiences. The temptation for scapegoating, to absolve the 'guilt' of the many on the shoulders of a few, also resonates with more contemporary social upheavals. The issue of literacy simply accentuates the disadvantage faced by those outsiders to the mainstream culture. ”
Andrew Burford wrote this review Saturday, March 30, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Wonderfully moving, sparse and economical but hitting every point with truth, pain and brilliance.”
Wayne wrote this review Thursday, March 14, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A calm, cerebral meditation of the heart, guilt, love, and atonement. German guilt over WWII interlaced with teenage love and regret. Though brief and succinct, the writing is deeply evocative and asks the reader to often savor the sharp emotion of a life's defining moments. There are symbols, and half truths, and a narrator whose own voice is uncertain and vague, but such obfuscation only heightens the gray horizon of morality with no clear break between the morally praiseworthy and reprehensible.
Generic Human wrote this review Tuesday, March 5, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
If you enjoy reading and comparing books to their movie/TV adaptations, then this is a double treat, for it was made into a remarkable film that captures much of the character and pain of the novel.”
“"El Lector", de Bernhard Schlink.Una gran novela. Es un libro corto, fresco y fácil. Pero a la vez apasionado y muy triste. Me encantó.”
Wilson Arturo C wrote this review Saturday, February 23, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I saw the movie, which is very good, before I read the book. I still enjoyed the book especially the internal wonderings and turmoil of the protagonist, Michael Berg in his teenage years when the story starts and in his middle-aged years when the story ends. The book covers a lot of ground moving through an illicit love affair of a 15 year-old by with an older woman to deep affairs of morality, war atrocities, retribution and redemption. It's a very quick read that packs incredible punch in 218 pages.”
Candelaria S wrote this review Friday, February 22, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
