Scan barcode
dhalse's review against another edition
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
graciegrace1178's review against another edition
4.0
WIL
1) author interview at end of book. Boyne knows what he's talking about. He is sensitive but still very factual, and that makes him the perfect author of this. Sometimes in writing you'll hear the phrase that someone else could've written it better, but I really don't think anyone could've done a better job than Boyne.
2) complex but not overly so. Kids and adults can both understand and simultaneously be challenged by this book for one reason or another.
2.5) the balance of everything. Building off that last comment, Boyne does a superb job balancing and tempering emotions and circumstances to create the world of a nine year old boy. It feels more subtle, more subdued, and the tone is insanely consistent throughout which just.,, blows my mind. Maintaining a consistent tone despite the extreme circumstances was just... wow. A feat. Way to go Boyne.
3) A book for all ages. Including this mostly for the sentiment expressed in the end interview- John and his publisher said something along the lines of "you don't get a passport at 14 that says you're an adult reader now." and THANK YOU. BOOKS ARE BOOKS ARE BOOKS. There's no limit to what people can or should read as they get older. This book certainly qualifies as one for all ages.
4) Childisms. "Out With" camp especially. Boyne really gets the childhood experience omg
NEUTRAL GROUND
1) I had seen the movie prior to this, and that hit me REALLY hard. This just... didn't quite pack the same punch, oddly enough. Maybe because I already knew the ending? I dunno. I was more numb at the end of this than anything. A different emotional reaction I suppose, but maybe not any less significant? Je ne sais pas.
mrshorak's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tamurz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
_sunsh1ne's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sandysmith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I'm in mixed minds about this book, obviously written for children, and in some ways, it is very powerful. Whilst it is called a fable, I think this needs to be clearer as historical fiction goes its inaccurate and perhaps would have been better for it to not have the links to Nazi Germany and to be more of a dystopian read but carrying the same messages. I hope that this book STARTS the discussion for children regarding the horrifics of the holocaust and the treatment of Jewish and other people deemed to be lesser. Bruno, the main character, knew nothing about his heritage or the treatment of the jews which growing up in his household is unbelievable, and for him and his sister not being members of Hitler Youth particularly with his fathers status seems absurd. But if the message delivers, then that's not a bad thing, but I just hope this book makes the reader commence their own research as to the atrocities to this particular time in our history and really hope the last sentence in the book is true "Not in this day and age".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Violence, Antisemitism, and War