A review by graciegrace1178
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

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.