Reviews

O Rapaz do Pijama às Riscas by John Boyne

peter_fischer's review against another edition

3.0

A Nazi concentration camp in WW2 observed through the eyes of two 9-year old boys, one an inmate, the other the son of the Commandant: an interesting and morally tricky juxtaposition, since both boys retain much of their innocence and are unaware of the reasons for the existence of the camp. The end of the book is especially original and poignant but otherwise the story is straight out of ‘Creative Writing 101’, although very well written, as one has come to expect from a writer of Boyne’s calibre. It just occurred to me that the author probably intended this book for children. Good luck to the parents who get to answer the inevitable question young readers will ask!

ast_arslan's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

jaded618's review against another edition

4.0

Short but very moving book. I saw the movie years ago but never read the book. Glad I gave it a chance

artg3ne's review against another edition

5.0

This book is AMAZING! I read this book with my English class and it literally has twisting and turning moments that a reader would never think of. The movie is different, but is still as heartwarming as the book. I defiantly recommend this book to readers who may like Holocaust stories or might not.

annie77's review against another edition

dark funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

mirandapiorun's review against another edition

5.0

Crushed me. 💔 the last 20 pages are so disturbing and so emotional.
Beautiful writing.

andrea_riree's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

3.75

boti's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

3.75

The language used is a bit basic, I think it is connected to the fact that the protagonist is young, but it takes away from the serious topics that the book explores 

smashburger's review against another edition

challenging dark funny fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

louloukins_01's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism

Moderate: Violence

Minor: War