Rating: 
Summary: Contrived and disconnected
Review: Reading this work, I had the feeling that Schlink had come up with several reasonably good ideas for short stories, but then unwisely decided to knit them together into a novel. The trouble is, they don't assemble well. The result is a contrived, stiff and disconnected effort, with the whole adding up to less than the sum of its parts. A failure, though briefly, here and there, an interesting failure.
Rating: 
Summary: Just Loved It
Review: Sure, the translation might weaken the language some. I've read so many people say that it's an easy read, however so many elements enter this work from so many angles. I was left with both regret and rejoicing that I have never had a relationship that affected me to the bone--something I could never shake. The theme of illiteracy should not be taken lightly, I think. We are such an educated people now. Can you imagine how devastating the inability to read must have been only a few decades ago? To think that a Nazi criminal would accept prison than admit that she is illiterate makes me appreciate my education and that of this nation so very much. Nearly all of us can read, can we not? I highly recommend this book, but take it slowly and ingest it, even though the vocabulary and language is simple.
Rating: 
Summary: A worthwhile read
Review: I expected this book wouldn't suit everyone's taste, but I am shocked that many people found the book a waste of time. I also can't believe that so many people have reviewed it in a way that gave so much away! I found this book to be a very good read. I had minor issues with the way the plot worked it's way out, but then again, reading would stink if everything always turned out the way I expected it would. The best part about The Reader for me is that it ties a substantial historical event to the relationship of two average people. Schlink's message on the betrayal in a relationship is right on the money. It was clear to me that both Hanna and Michael had roles in destroying their relationship, although Hanna played a heavier hand. As other reviewers have stated, there was also the issue of Michael being at the wrong time in his life for this relationship. Anyone that did like this book from the mixed age relationship "Mrs. Robinson" perspective should read A Widow For One Year by John Irving. As I stated, I really enjoyed the book and it was a fast read. I was ever so slightly disappointed in the end. I can't give it 5 stars, as I wouldn't place it in my favorites for all time, but it was one of the best I read this year. It is worth reading at least once, and pay careful attention to Michael's own betrayal. It is a valuable life lesson to anybody. I will read it again someday.
Rating:
Summary: "Because happiness is only real if it lasts forever."
Review: I was recommended this little gem of a novel, by my friend, and I must say that it is short, bitter/sweet and thought provoking. Here we are introduced to Michael Berg a young impressionable boy, who like most young male men, yearns for the sex of a woman. Michael then meets up with Hanna an older mysterious character that is both loving and distant, yet who seems to be hiding a secret so disturbing that it consumes her life.
The author, spends little time on embellishments and metaphorically strips his characters to the bare bones. Again short and bitter/sweet story telling up until the controversial ending; which I though appropriate. Give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: brilliant, but very disturbing
Review: This is not a fun book, and there is no happy or easy resolution. It is also carefully structured to establish the dilemma of postwar Germany coming to terms with the Nazis. The main character is symbolic of Germany. He falls ill and is saved by a mysterious woman, Hanna. He returns to thank her and is both attracted and terrified of her. They become lovers and he struggles to manage Hanna's swings from sensual caring to vicious cruelty. She then vanishes and he moves on with his life, only for her to reappear as a former Nazi on trial for war crimes. He struggles to come to terms with this, but in fact never really does. The trial exposes the corruption and hypocrisy of the accusers, whose self-righteousness conceals their own complicity. Finally, many years later he must deal with her continued existence and his inability to come to terms with their shared past. This is a difficult and thought provoking book. Literally very simple, but metaphorically very complex. It gives no easy answer to the questions it raises, and that of course is its intention. Two things it is not are Nazi rivisionism or a Holocaust story. It deals with Germany's attempts to come to terms with its past and the scars that linger. Devastating, a must read.
Rating: 
Summary: A Bitter Disappointment... Boo to Oprah!
Review: I can't help but wonder if this book lost something in translation from German to English, and I can't believe Oprah Winfrey endorsed it. A friend lent me this book, and I am glad she did, otherwise, I would have been very upset if I paid money for it. First of all, the storyline is flat, and that was a big disappointment, because the premise of the book was great, I think Schlink could have done alot more with the idea. I also found the characters to be shallow and one-dimensional, especially Hanna. Michael, on the other hand, irritated me after only a few pages, he is completely narcissistic, self-centered and self-absorbed. As for the "secret" hinted at on the back cover?? The "big secret" was pathetic, I figured it out WAY before the author disclosed it. But the ending was the biggest let down, just when you think the novel might have a redeeming quality, that Hanna and Michael might be able to resolve some of their issues, you are slapped in the face.
I would not recommend this book to anyone!
Rating:
Summary: READ IT!
Review: A beautiful, haunting book. Sags a little in the middle when the author gets heavy with the holocaust court hearings, but the pace soon picks up again and builds towards a shattering, numbing climax. Leaves you with a tingling feeling down your spine, the sign of a really great novel.
Rating:
Summary: I thought with Oprah's approval I couldn't go wrong =(
Review: I didn't like this book. I though it was a little boring. I bought it at the bookstore, and after reading the back, thought it sounded good... it says something about the woman has a dark secret, darker than murder?!?! Well, I figured out her little secret before the author tells it, and I thought it was pretty stupid and obvious. I won't tell you what it is, in case you go ahead and buy this book =)
But I guess I just got the impression that this book was going to be more of a mystery, and it was more romanic and historic, two subjects I am not fond of reading!! OH WELL.
Rating:
Summary: Please don't give away the ENTIRE story in your review
Review: I am about half way through The Reader (enjoying it so far) and was curious what other's had to say. Well the reader who titled his/her review "A bitter portrayal of a young man's bliss and its aftermath" just gave away the rest of the book for me! A review is not a blow-by-blow synopsis of the book, especially not on an e-commerce site intent on selling readers the book. I am so disappointed that I read this review, and I'm nowhere near as excited about going home and finishing the book now.
Rating: 
Summary: Just an okay read, with tough subject matter
Review: This book was an okay read. I haven't read many books with a male perspective and it was a refreshing change to have "The Reader" tell the story of our male hero. (Most of the books I read have female characters as the main focus). I thought the story was original, and dealt with difficult subject matter: Hannah seducing our hero when he was only 15, the shame and secrecy of illiteracy, and Hannah being put on trial for her crimes in a Nazi concentration camp. It is not an uplifting story, but it kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I was a bit perplexed at their relationship, and found myself wondering if the only substance to it was of a sexual nature. I found the ending a bit rushed, and not quite satisfying for that reason. Overall, this book was a very quick read, and is only worth about 3 stars.
|
