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thereaderfriend's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Genocide, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Murder
tina94's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Genocide, Hate crime, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Death
ashley_elizabeth's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I actually saw the film years ago and hadn't really been that motivated to read the book until my book club set a topic of "literary fiction", and here we are! I actually enjoyed the book about the same as the film (from what I remember of it). It reminded me, in some ways, of Ian McEwan's "Atonement" in that it ends with a bit of a "twist" or little surprise to the story that gives it a different taste that it would have otherwise. I also have never really read anything set in Germany just after WWII and found the secondary storyline of young people coming to grips with how their parents/community/country behaved during the Third Reich particularly interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Genocide
katiemertz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Genocide
angelicathebookworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The narrative is well structured and well written. The characters are thoroughly developed throughout and morally ambiguous, particularly in the case of Hanna. It was difficult for me to choose how I felt about her and I enjoyed that experience. There are some revelations that are not only surprising but also adds to the emotional nature of the novel. The ending is tragic, unresolved but completely necessary and emphasizes the power Schlink’s narrative holds. Reading about the physical relationship between Hanna and Michael put me off at times, but that’s just personal preference rather than criticism and I understand the purpose it has in the narrative.
For more reviews like this one, check out https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
For more reviews like this one, check out https://angelicacastilloking.wordpress.com/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Genocide