The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

[spacedonkey]

Everyone should read this book: utterly brilliant

Ive just read it and agree!
But there is more stuff that he could have said. He only told half the story about the war in Alsace for example.

Fantastic book

I don't think he was trying to present a full account of anything though

Isn't it more about the cleavage between the wartime and post-war generations in Germany, and how they have struggled in different ways to cope with collective shame and guilt?

I agree, it is a brilliant read. It's a real skill to be able to use such simple language to convey so much so concisely and poigniantly.

It would make a brilliant film. But I think it's a film that could only be made by Germany. Imagine if Hollywood tackled it!

I think it would lose what made it great if turned into a film, particularly a Hollywood style one. It said a lot w/o saying much at all. That's what made it so memorable.

just had a look at this and am intruiged

I think I may put it on my list of recommendations for our next book group meeting.

We recommend three so it's on with East of Eden and I still need another

by only telling part of what happened in Alsace, he was making the Alsatians look worse though.

this takes me back, remenber reading this a few years back, really enjoyed it and recommended to several people.

think this book really benefited from being short and sort of personal

yes - I love short books!

i liked this. just read Self's Punishment by him - that was fab too!