The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
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Web ID: 15843451Striped Ties: A Friendship Bound by Innocence
When I picked up "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne, I didn't anticipate the emotional journey it would take me on, grappling with the innocence of childhood set against the backdrop of unimaginable cruelty. This book offers a touching perspective on friendship during the Holocaust, prompting readers to confront both cruelty and kindness. Set in World War II, the story revolves around Bruno, a German boy whose family moves to Auschwitz. Through Bruno's eyes, I witnessed the stark realities of the concentration camp and the unlikely bond he forms with Shmuel, a Jewish boy on the other side of the fence. Bruno and Shmuel represent the heart of the story, with Bruno's innocence and Shmuel's resilience driving the narrative. While some may find Bruno's naivety unrealistic, I couldn't help but see reflections of my own childhood innocence in his character, making his journey all the more heartbreaking. Boyne's narrative delves into themes of innocence, ignorance, and the consequences of blind obedience. Bruno's innocence contrasts powerfully with the horrors of the Holocaust, prompting reflection on morality and human nature.The external conflict of the Holocaust shapes the characters' actions, while internal conflicts, especially Bruno's struggle between loyalty and friendship, drive the emotional depth of the story. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is emotionally charged, evoking a range of feelings from sorrow to hope. Boyne's storytelling and character development offer a powerful reminder of the Holocaust's atrocities and the importance of empathy. As I reflect on this book, I believe it has something to offer readers of all ages, from those seeking a thought-provoking exploration of history to educators and parents looking for ways to spark meaningful conversations with younger audiences. “The Boy in Striped Pyjamas” is not just a story; it's a profound journey that challenged me to confront my own assumptions and biases, while also reminding me of the enduring power of friendship and empathy in the face of adversity. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and although the end was less than ideal, I really recommend it to any others.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
loved it
Should have read it a while ago. Glad I finally picked it up. The ending....
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Deeply touching story of the Holocaust
This is a poignant and deeply moving novel set during World War II; it follows the perspective of a young German boy named Bruno, whose family moves to Auschwitz, where his father has been appointed as a commandant. Through the eyes of Bruno, the reader is taken on a journey that exposes the horrors of the Holocaust and the atrocities committed by the Nazis. The book offers a fresh and unique perspective, as it depicts the events of the Holocaust from the viewpoint of a child, who is initially unaware of the gravity of the situation. As the story unfolds, Bruno develops an unlikely friendship with a Jewish boy named Shmuel, who is a prisoner in the concentration camp that lies beyond the fence near Bruno's house. Their friendship is touching and heartwarming, but it is also a stark reminder of the unprecedented horrors of the Holocaust. The writing is powerful and evocative, and Boyne's portrayal of the characters is both poignant and realistic. The author's use of a child's perspective to tell this story is especially effective, as it emphasizes the innocence of children and highlights the senseless violence and brutality of the Holocaust.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
The World War II Holocaust - As Seen By a Child
This is one of the books where you can expect to become increasingly anxious as each page is turned. Not so surprising since THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS is a book about the Holocaust during World War II. With a lifelong interest in this time period, and as someone who has read dozens of related historical novels, what makes this novel so devastating is that it's told through the naive eyes of a nine year old boy. At the beginning of the story, Bruno Wisitzki's family has just had the great honor of a visit by the German Leader Adolph Hitler, who has promoted Bruno's father to Commandant. To Bruno's chagrin, it means his entire family must leave Berlin and move to their new posting in Poland, where Bruno's father will head the concentration camp called Auschwitz. At first the boy is primarily concerned about leaving behind the only home he's known, his closest friends, and his nearby grandparents. Though their new house is full of soldiers and servants, Bruno is lonely. Until one day when he meets a boy who lives on the other side of a high fence, the boy in the striped pajamas. Author John Boyne (one of my favorites) uses this lone boy and his family to explore themes like change, family connection, friendship, antisemitism, and brutal impact of war on the human psyche. Ultimately, however, the novel focuses on budding friendship of Bruno and his friend, Shmuel. And the bond they forge over time. The book reads like a fable. It's simply written and short but profoundly powerful. Somehow the trust and innocence of Bruno makes the unfolding of events so much worse. Because as readers, we are already privy to the knowledge of what happened at Auschwitz. This is definitely NOT a children's book. But there are good reasons why it has won so many awards and been made into a movie. I'd say it's essential for anyone interested in World War II and/or the Holocaust.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great book
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a very interesting book. It is about family and friendship as Bruno struggles to determine what role he has in his house. The genre of the book is Holocaust fiction. The book The Boy In the Striped Pajamas is about a young german boy named Bruno growing up during WWII. Bruno is very confused about what is going on around him but later on in the book he meets another boy named Shmuel that is in a concentration camp. Bruno and Shmuel end up being friends and Shmuel teaches Bruno that life isn't all about fun and imagination. I really liked this book because it goes back to a historical time and tells it in a very interesting way. I really like the bond between Shmuel and Bruno. The main themes of the book are Innocence, friendship, and human nature. I believe that if you like WWII history you will love this book! This book is very interesting and it is hard to stop reading.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
The Boy in Striped pajamas
The book “the boy in striped pajamas“ was such a good book to read. The book not only open my eyes to the truth about the holocaust but also communicated it through the eyes of a child. The Book follows a young boy named Bruno through the events of the holocaust. Bruno makes a friend named Shmuel (The boy in striped pajamas). Bruno visits Shmuel every day and they talk with a fence in between them. Bruno wonders why Shmuel is wearing striped pajamas and why he is behind a fence. As the story goes on Bruno and Shmuel begin to get closer and closer to the point of being best friends. The story is very emotional and very heart wrenching but definitely an amazing read. The book did have funny moments and happy moments I just wish the ending wasn’t so sad.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Profound and heartbreaking
This Holocaust tale is profound, stunning, and heartbreaking; it reminds me a bit of the movies La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful) and Jojo Rabbit. It tells the story of 9 year old Bruno, who can't understand why his family would move from their lovely home in Berlin to a smaller home much farther away for his father's important work on behalf of Germany. Lonely for his friends back home, he becomes curious about the people in "striped pajamas" he sees behind fences out his new bedroom window. Bruno's innocence about the horrors of the world around him creates a unique and powerful lens through which to encounter this story. In terms of age recommendation, it is listed by publishers as YA (12-17). That said, I think it could be a good choice for a mature upper middle grader as well. There is a subtlety to the storytelling will likely just go over a child's head if they're not ready (meaning that the content is not overtly graphic). This would be a good choice for a child who has already read ECHO or NUMBER THE STARS and has some background to this tragic era in history. The nuances and hidden meanings make this an impactful choice for an adult reader as well.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Amazing book
John Boyne published his book The boy in the striped pajamas in 2006, I would consider it a historical novel. This book I believe focuses on the innocence of kids. It's such a heavy emotional book. A boy of the age of 9 has to move due to his fathers job as a Commanding officer for the Nazis during the holocaust. The boy doesn't want to settle in his new home because of the sad people that live near him. The boy doesn't know that the "farm" is actually a concentration camp and one day explores on the way finds a friend. Bruno finds a boy sitting named Smhuel but there is a fence that separates them. Bruno continues to visit his new friend almost everyday. Bruno never mentions his friendship to anyone and keeps it secret. One day Smhuel and Bruno plan for Bruno to cross to the other side to help find his best friends father who hasn't been seen in a while. Their plan works but tragedy happens. Overall a 10/10 book for sure.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com