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The Reader

By Bernhard Schlink, Campbell Scott (Reader)

(18)

| Audio CD | 9781415960134

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3 Reviews

1 person find this helpful

A Sad Unsettled Soul

A sad story that depicts the post-war Germany's sentimental feelings towards to the people who danced along with the Nazi.
Hanna had an unsettled soul was tormented by her limited channel to acquire the background knowledge of her horrible past. A comment in the court, "What would you do?" has ... (continue)

A sad story that depicts the post-war Germany's sentimental feelings towards to the people who danced along with the Nazi.
Hanna had an unsettled soul was tormented by her limited channel to acquire the background knowledge of her horrible past. A comment in the court, "What would you do?" has spelled out the dilemma for what she had been through.

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― artie said on Jan 13, 2009 about the Audio Cassette edition | Add your feedback

1 person find this helpful

*** This comment contains spoilers! ***

Will be read again

When I read this, I was far too young to fully appreciate the novel. One of the main characters, Hanna, took full responsibility for atrocities she took part in as a concentration camp guard during WWII in order to cover up something she was even more ashamed of. I am confused about why the author c ... (continue)

When I read this, I was far too young to fully appreciate the novel. One of the main characters, Hanna, took full responsibility for atrocities she took part in as a concentration camp guard during WWII in order to cover up something she was even more ashamed of. I am confused about why the author chose "Hanna," a Jewish name, for the character who sent Jewish women to the gas chamber during the Holocaust. I am also confused as to why Hanna felt so much remorse at the end that she killed herself when she barely displayed any remorse during her tryst with her 16 year old lover. I don't recall the story indicating that her remorse was a result of her stay in prison or because she learned to read and read the works of Elie Wiesel and other Holocaust survivors. Was it not until then that she truly realized the travesties of the war? How would that be possible, since she was there to witness it? The majority of the book was confusing, but most of it tied together at the end. Overall, this is definitely a book I would recommend. Bernhard Schlink is an awesome writer. His work is lyrical and flows like a melody. I loved it.

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― Nicole Brice said on Dec 9, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

Read it before Oprah....
Did not enjoy it at all, found it quite boring actually

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― Mtshafer said on Sep 23, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback