The Reader

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: The Reader by Bernhard Schlink is a book which deals with the themes of everyday life. A sample of these themes include love, betrayal, secrets, death, and denial. Schlink incorporates these themes into his writing through the characters lives, their thoughts, and their actions. An example is when Michael feels his betrayal of Hanna, "This one moment summed up all my halfheartedness of the past months, which had produced my denial of her, and my betrayal." Schlink's writing captured my attention at the beginning with his strong sentence structure and imagery, with sentences like, "When rescue came, it was almost an assault." The writing is what kept me reading till the last page, with more passages like, "Her handwriting never became fluid, but it acquired something of the severe beauty that characterizes the writing of old people who have written little in their lives." The Reader is a great book which has the reader thinking about the themes in the book for a long time after the book is done.

Rating:
Summary: A peculiar, disturbing, psychological study
Review: A thoughtful, philosophical account of a marring, coming-of-age sexual experience. Although the translation is wanting at times, THE READER forgiveness, shame, sexual passion, diminished self-esteem among a few. The illiteracy explanation, however, is weak. Given the time and setting, not being able to read was neither as uncommon nor as embarrassing as it may be today. It is also an unconvincing reason for Hannah's behavior. Nevertheless, it does serve to further weaken Hannah's character making her even less likeable.

Rating:
Summary: You can't put it down!!!
Review: I never wanted to finish a book so much as I did this book. I have never read a book by Mr. Schlink but now I'll be on the watch. I recommend for other people to read it.

Rating:
Summary: Much more than just a story
Review: This book is more than the sum of the words on its pages. Schlink leaves us lots of room to think, forsaking rambling dialogue and too-detailed descriptions for a beautiful sparseness. He allows us to discover for ourselves how the shame of WWII seeped into the characters' being. "The Reader" is history and war and love and shame and growing-up and more that I haven't yet discovered: it leaves me with plenty to ponder (and I love that!)

Rating:
Summary: Deeply moving
Review: Sensational read with numerous, engaging issues to consider. If you enjoy this one, I also highly recommend another very engrossing and debate-provoking novel, The Last Day, by Glenn Kleier. I found it one of the most intriguing, uplifting reads I've ever encountered.

Rating:
Summary: A simple story to touch the heart.
Review: The Reader brings to life a love affair truly based on friendship. Schlink's message is clear - a first love is never to be forgotten, no matter the passage of time.

Rating:
Summary: Worth reading and thought provoking.
Review: It was a worthwhile read

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and confusing
Review: I cannot figure out if this is a simply wonderful book or a wonderful simple book. If forgiveness comes from understanding, then how in the world is it possible to both understand and forgive the main character that represents two generations. How she made me responsible and participatory in her guilt is remarkable. I congratulate the author.

Rating:
Summary: Makes you think about it for a very long time afterwards.
Review: It was a book I will not forget for a very long time. At first it collided with my values and made me grimace with disbelief. But then, it connected with my soul and made me pause for reflection.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening and moving. A deeper understanding of life/love
Review: Wonderfullly written despite being transalated from German, Schlink provides us with a deeply captivating story of lifelong love, shame, anger and guilt. He writes with a personal voice, speaking his emotions with great detail. A book one must read; an exploration of elements which makes us human.