The Reader

Rating:
Summary: A Good Read
Review: The first time I picked up The Reader I was astonished at it's boldness. I was not prepared for the oncoming adult content but nevertheless I enjoyed it. The Reader held my attention throughout the entire novel. I did not run into any slow points nor did I run into any really confusing areas. I enjoyed the level of difficulty in the writing but it was never too hard to follow. I think the sexual anecdotes also kept my attention. I would recommend The Reader for anyone interested in a quick novel with a lot of insight.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: This novel by Bernhard Schlink is a captivating tale of an erotic relationship with all it's twists and turns. I really enjoyed the Reader and felt that it was so captivating because it included many aspects of life and growing up. I am only a few years older than Michael Berg, the main character, and i could relate to his struggles in life and love. Schlink puts you right in the shoes of Michael and the reader is able to experience all his trials and tribulations as he matures. The reader can sympathize because at one point or another we have all had the same feelings or experiences and we become captivated with the novel. Another reason that Schlinks tale is quite captivating is that the story takes place in postwar Germany. In my experiences, I enjoy books that seem more realistic and have the element of history involved. It gives the reader a better appreciation for events during that time period but also makes the novel itself more interesting. So, not only does Schlinks incorporations of a young boys desires, thoughts, and disappointments help to captivate the reader, so does the history integrated into the novel. This novel was very cpativating from the beginning to the end. Because you know all Michael's thoughts and desires towards Hanna, his older lover, you become more involved in the novel. Michaels thoughts are like everyone's unspoken words about many aspects of life. Some that we just don't like to express or feel comfortable expressing. This novel appeals to everyone's senses and is a captivating love affair that most can realte to. I recommend the novel for anyone looking for easy reading to pass the time away.

Rating:
Summary: A Lost Love
Review: The Reader is a the story of a lost love. Bernhard Schlink examines guilt, sorrow, and regret in the relationship between Michael Berg and his companion, Hanna. Despite their age gap of 21 years, the two develop a powerful relationship in which they become dependent on each other. Upon their mysterious division, Michael finds his life as one without significant meaning. Upon their reunion years later, Michael comes to the realization of his own importance in Hanna's life. The course of Hanna's life following the reunion becomes once again dependent on Michael. The conclusion signifies their need for one another that was never fully satisfied. The story is both deep in thought and easy to comprehend, making it an enjoyable yet perplexing read.

Rating:
Summary: The Reader
Review: The Reader is a captivating story about growing up, falling in love, and finding yourself. Bernard Schlink skillfully crafts this book from the perspective of a 15 year old sickly book that develops a relationship with a much older woman, who has a secretative past. In time this relationship ends, but several years later their pathes cross again and they are in a much different situation where her past plays a factor. Skillfully written book and a must read.

Rating:
Summary: The Reader
Review: The Reader is a skillfully captivating story that is simple to read, yet elegantly constructed. It is a time honored story of growing up, falling in love, and finding yourself. Bernard Schlink builds the story around a 15 year old sick boy named Michael, that develops an unique relationship with a much older women. In time their relationship grows, but Hannah keeps her private life and past a secret. Soon, their relationship ends, but several years later cross pathes in a much different situation. However, this time her unusal past plays a part in her future. Schlink creates this captivating and unusual story that catches the imagine and the soul of all readers. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: What About The Reader?
Review: The Reader is a book that captures your attention from the first chapter. Schlink incorporates adolecence, sex, war, and The Holocaust as he tell the story as a flashback. His intergections of what he has learned throughout his years allows for the "reader" to have an idea of what is happening in the bigger picture. The book is very easy to read and follow. It is hard to belive how quickly the book turns. I recomend this book to readers of all levels, it will entertain you throughout. ENJOY!

Rating:
Summary: a review
Review: Mr. Schlink has done well with this creation. He has made a piece of interesting fiction that can be read and understood by most readers. Although "The Reader" is not a simple story of a reader and his illiterate listener. As any reader begins this novel they are immediately swept up into the action. Schlink grabs ahold of the reader firmly and guarantees their continued interest with a story of a passionate relationship. Ironically, the author tries to gain our interest by our emotional involvement in a relationship, which itself, is lacking much emotion. As we approach the climax, Schlink suddenly changes the entire mood and pattern of events. What started out as a simple story of eroticism, soon develops into a thought provoking novel of one man's struggles. He struggles with society, political issues, and moral decisions as his life withers away. More irony appears as we see all his troubles center around the one thing that once made him happy. His first joy, his only love, and his biggest worry consume his entire life. He doesn't want to be with it, but can't live without it. Schlink leaves the reader thinking through and after the last page. What would this man's life be if his love, his obsession, were to die?

Rating:
Summary: The Impact of the Past
Review: How much do your past actions really affect you later in life? I think this is a question that this book addresses in a manner that I've never even thought of before. It also confronts the reader with the question as to how many past occurrences you are willing to overlook. The story revolves around a man, Michael, who has been infinitely impacted by a series of events that took place when he was fifteen years old. The author also presents the Holocaust in a manner that the reader can almost sympathize with. This is very different from many other novels on this particular subject. You come to know Hanna, another main character, as a sweet older woman and Michael's lover. Therefore, it is hard to condemn her for her past actions, even though most people wouldn't even think twice about sympathizing with what she did. Overall, I felt the book kept my attention and made me think about some of my morals and my feelings towards others. I would definitely recommend this book, if for no other reason than to give yourself a new perspective on the Holocaust and for the experience of an interesting piece of literature.

Rating:
Summary: A Culmination of Sin
Review: Bernhard Schlink provides his readers with an interesting story of an ill boy and a sick woman. He uses sex, love, and war to keep his audience attached and reading. He questions humanity with the stories of the Holocaust and love between a 36 year old woman and a 15 year old boy. By attaching the audience to Michael, Schlink shows how it is human nature to forgive the people close to you. I recommend this book if you are looking for a perspective on how post WWII Germans could forgive their families for such attrocities.

Rating:
Summary: Another average love story
Review: For me, The Reader was just another average love story that I read for class. Man falls in love, loses love, finds ex-lover again and falls in love again. The story, in my opinion, followed too much of a pre-set standard that has been seen in literature for years. There were a few good plot twists, and a good use of scenery, but overall I was disappointed. Another part of the novel that disappointed me was the lack of flow. The plot jumped around a lot, skipping what I felt were crucial years in the development of the protagonist. I was often baffled by the thoughts of the protagonist, and I felt that I got less out of the book because I could not see where he was coming from. The book also had a moral of sorts, and I hate morals.