Rating: 
Summary: Not enough donkeys in the story
Review: I bought this book thinking that it would be about me. Plus the author had a funny name. How wrong I was! And why was it written in Dutch? And with a horrible Flemish accent? The whole plot about the miner's daughter from Oxford, England, who becomes a famous ice-skater at age of 40 in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia is ludicrous. Did I mention that the whole book is in Dutch?
Rating: 
Summary: this book stayed with me long after I finished reading it
Review: It is a quick read, not because it was short, but because it pulls you in and you cannot let go - it was hauntingly beautiful - I can already imagine that someone has already figured out that this would make a wonderful movie - perhaps the producers of the THe English Patient...
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking look at relationships at multiple levels.
Review: Schlink is able to take the reader through a process of examining social justice and morality. While the book may be seen as an expression of a relationship between an adolescent male and an adult woman, it is far more complex. As world watches the horror in the Balkans, Schlink forces the reader to understand how little human progress has been made. Power and pride are the downfall of mankind. The book is an excellent examination of the human response to psychology and philosophy as it relates to motivation.
Rating:
Summary: Tugs at the mind and the heart
Review: I read this book while snowed in from work. Once I got to the second section, I could not put it down I was moved and disturbed by the vivid depiction of the relationship between Michael and Hannah- the bath, the bike ride in the woods. Obviously, this is an abusive relationship. I wonder why the author felt the need to make Michael and Hanna lovers. I understand the reason for the difference in age- they needed to be of their respective generations in order for the thesis of the book to unfold. But why did they have to be lovers? The issues raised in the second half of the book are the most disturbing. What would I have done in Hanna's place? Or Michael's? I honestly cannot say. I don't think anyone can. This is the brilliance of this book- for this is what the author has attempted to do. And this is the power of great literature or great art. And that's what this book is- great literature. A masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: This is an easy book to read with several interesting topics
Review: The characters and scenary will draw you in and the story and deep subject matters will keep you reading. I don't think the relationship between the two major characters is the most important topic here. You will be asking yourself many serious questions while you read this book.
Rating:
Summary: A very bad selection!!!!
Review: The Reader is one of the worst books I have every read. Part I was simply awful. Even though Anna could not read, she knew better than do such an awful thing. Part II was like reading for a history report. Part III was just as bad as the first. The poor kid was messed up for life.I have read a few of Oprah's selections, and this one is by far, the worst. I finished it ONLY because I paid for it.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written
Review: I had to set my environment to read this book of "literature," as the book is so labeled. I eased into my couch (it's a cushy couch), tossed a blanket over me, took a sip of my tea, and then lifted the first page of The Reader. In one afternoon I read the book cover to cover. I sat there wondering what would happen to Michael Berg (the narrator). How would these events affect the rest of his life? How would they affect my own? It made me realize the impact of one decision, not only on one's own life, but on many. I can't tell you what happened otherwise I would give away the story, but let me say that the story was told simply though the topics were far from simple. I found a connection with Berg's reflectiveness and hoped him well. A very good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Kinda boring
Review: I didn't have that feeling of not being able to put the book down. That's a great feeling. This was kinda depressing and colorless.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting story line though a little shallow.
Review: This book was easy to put down. The characters weren't fully developed
Rating:
Summary: A timely read...
Review: This was a powerful and thought provoking novel, particularly in light of what is currently happening in the Balkans. After reading this novel, I remain haunted by its themes of the shame, guilt, and numbness felt by those dealing with the aftermath of genocide.
| 
