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Original poster

Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

28 replies

claireybee · 15/07/2009 14:52

Oh. My. God.

That's all

OP posts:
UnquietDad · 15/07/2009 14:57

Yes, it's not exactly cheerful summer reading.

I'm fed up with endless books about the Holocaust, to be honest.

Original poster
claireybee · 15/07/2009 15:03

I deliberately didn't read anything about it before reading it so the ending came as a complete shock to me.

I'm not sure it was exactly an accurate representation but thought provoking all the same.

OP posts:
SouthernMeerkat · 15/07/2009 16:47

We've vetoed any more Holocaust/Second World War books in our book group - we seem to have ended up reading an awful lot of them lately. Maybe that's why I hated the Book Thief - it's just the end of a very long line of books with world war as a main theme, a backdrop or a memory.....

UnquietDad · 16/07/2009 09:31

It seems a favourite preoccupation of some writers. "Oh, I know, let's write about the Holocaust" - second only to "I know, let's write about the First World War." Surely it's been done to death now.

ChopsTheDuck · 16/07/2009 10:01

I've not actually read the book yet, but dd and I watched the film. We were on a Holocaust theme after visiting Holland and Germany. While there we had visted the Anne Frank Huis and the Neungamme and Belsen-Bergen sites.

It is a nasty ending and I'm not sure it was necessary. I felt like the author was trying to deliberately shock without any real grounds for it. I'm sure I read somewhere that there is no way that could have happened in reality. I also think there is absolutely no chance that the German boy could have been that naive at that age, in that situation.

FairLadyRantALot · 16/07/2009 10:07

IT's the book I gonna read whilst on Holiday...I bought it last year (before I heard about teh movie) from a charity shop, but not gotten round to read it yet...but it sounds like a very interesting story!

ChopsTheDuck · 16/07/2009 10:12

It's nto a very cheerful holiday read!

FairLadyRantALot · 16/07/2009 10:32

well...i know it will be a heavy read, obviously...but will be the only time I have to read anything jsut for fun, as once back I have to get reading all those books I should be reading for my Uni course, lol

FairLadyRantALot · 16/07/2009 10:45

Well... UQD....if books about the holocaust keep it in peoples mind...not a bad thing...

just thought it will be very apt me reading it on my Holiday, considering I will be spending it in Germany!
It is not a new book neither is it?
Like I said I got it last year from a charity shop, and it looks old and a bit battered, so, assumed it is quite old....not looked at the date of release...

FairLadyRantALot · 16/07/2009 10:49

I just looked and it was first released in 2006...well...that puts that one right

Tamarto · 16/07/2009 10:51

It's classed as a childrens book isn't it?

I'm not sure how many of them are representative of real life. I'm not sure it was marketed as an acurate portrayal of the times.

FairLadyRantALot · 16/07/2009 10:54

it's a children's book...really

GColdtimer · 16/07/2009 10:56

I thought it was interesting to see it from a German child's eyes, although you are right. - were they really that naive? And I don't think it matters that it couldn't have really happened - I think it's more symbolic than that.

I am glad I read it but cheerful it was not.

FairLadyRantALot · 16/07/2009 11:13

I will let ya know once I read it.....

AliGrylls · 16/07/2009 11:24

This is one of the best books I have read in years. Although tere are lots of books about the holocaust there are none like this. It doesn't take the sentimental angle it takes the disturbing angle. I couldn't get it out of my head for days afterwards. It really is disturbing when you think about the cruelty of war and in particular the holocaust.

Anyway I won't say anymore in case I ruin it but it is a definite definite must read.

ChopsTheDuck · 16/07/2009 11:37

it's written from a child's perspective but on the back cover of my version it does say it isn't intended to be for children.

theonewiththenoisychild · 12/01/2014 15:48

i watched the film and didnt like it tbh

hollyisalovelyname · 13/01/2014 00:08

I thought it was a brilliant book.

mistermakersgloopyglue · 22/01/2014 17:07

I watched the film and thought it was shit. The whole 'shocking' thing At the end is that the little German boy gets killed - what, is the sight of dozens of jews being sent to their death not shocking enough in itself? It was like 'yeah well we know that the jewish boy is going to die at the end, that goes without saying, so we need to give it a 'lil twist to give it that extra something'.

The ending was totally unnecessary, not to mention the fact that it would never actually happen.

mistermakersgloopyglue · 22/01/2014 17:09

Shit sorry, MASSIVE SPOILER ABOVE!

carlajean · 22/01/2014 20:40

Hated it. Like a child of a high up member of the Nazi party wouldn't know all about it. It insults the memory of all those who died in the camps.

waycat · 23/01/2014 16:48

I saw the film first a few years ago. That prompted me to read the book, and it is one of those rare occasions where I think the film is actually better than the book.

atthestrokeoftwelve · 23/01/2014 16:51

I thought this was a kids book? My DDs class read it when they were 11 years old.

TinyTwoTears · 23/01/2014 16:53

DH read the book and cried.

I read the book and didn't. Probably because I read it quickly to find out why DH cried so I didn't feel it.

I liked the book thief but can't remember the story, what other world war 1/2 or holocaust books have there been then? I wasn't aware that there were loads.

MerylStrop · 23/01/2014 16:53

It's terrible
Misconceived and disrespectful
Ditto Book Thief

Tamarto - try Primo Levi. Brilliant writing, utterly gruelling but still contains hope and dignity.