I read this recently for the book club I belong to. I thought it was no where near as good as the film, and read it in a day. At book club I then realised it was written for teenagers and then got it and thought it was a book every teenager should read
For a number of reasons The Boy in the Striped Pajamas simply could not have happened. First, those fences were closely guarded; anyone digging on the opposite side would’ve been shot. If not, there would’ve been far more escapes with help from insurgents. Concentration camp fences were electrified; those who could no longer tolerate suffering threw themselves into the fences to commit suicide. No way would the commandant’s child be anywhere near those fences. The Nazis kept no one around who couldn’t be productive. Those over 50, pregnant women and children were sent straight from transport to the gas chambers… the few exceptions were those reserved for medical experiments. I’m always bothered by books that play on emotions but aren’t based on fact. IMO, every middle school student should be required to read Night by Elie Wiesel, then again in high school and then again in college survey class. His is the real child’s perspective of the Holocaust. For me, TBITSP trivializes, glosses over, hijacks, and sentimentally and commercially exploits the Holocaust in exchange for a tragedy about a Nazi family. A family who could have smelled burning corpses from their porch, and a tragedy that could never have happened. The real tragedy is Schmuel who would’ve been dead and burned and scattered within hours after stepping off the train. And the seven million others who also died.
@Deborah totally agree with your salient words. Fiction book with no factual basis and anyone that thinks it has some semblance to reality is incorrect.
I believe it’s a YA book. I loved it …. I cried reading the book and watching the movie. It may not be all factual but for me it gave me some insight to an era I knew nothing about and was therefore easy to give to my granddaughter to read to enlighten her. It was helpful when she recently had to learn about the holocaust.
From this site and in words from an Auschwitz survivor: “So what will the students studying this as required reading take away from it? The camps certainly weren’t that bad if youngsters like Shmuley, Bruno’s friend, were able to walk about freely, have clandestine meetings at a fence (non-electrified, it appears) which even allows for crawling underneath it, never reveals the constant presence of death, and survives without being forced into full-time labor. And as for those people in the striped pajamas — why if you only saw them from a distance you would never know these weren’t happy masqueraders! My Auschwitz friend read the book at my urging. He wept, and begged me tell everyone that this book is not just a lie and not just a fairytale, but a profanation. No one may dare alter the truths of the Holocaust, no matter how noble his motives.” https://www.aish.com/j/as/48965671.html
Very good book for younger YA readers who may not have a lot of background information on the Holocaust. John Boyne writes excellent historical fiction for YA readers and adults!
I sincerely disagree. There is very little fact in this novel and truly trivializes the gravity of the holocaust. The idea that a child prisoner was able to get past the fence to have play dates makes it seem like the holocaust wasn’t as inhuman as it truly was. There are other great historical fictions that people should read that honor the significance of this event.
I love it …I read with my children I thought it was more aimed at the younger reader they really enjoyed it till towards the end when I could not stop crying cause I know what was going to happen. I had to explain what happened during world war 2 when people were taken of to the death camps …. not an easy thing to explain to,them
Loved it. A book I’ll never forget. Things seen from a child’s eyes are either right or wrong, there is no in-between. If only we all continued throughout life, viewing things this way, our world would be a different place.
I “stole” it from my 8th grade daughter, who was reading it for school. Finished the book in one day (she had to bring it back to school the next day). I thought it was So touching and horrifying at the same time.
??
Outstanding book. It’s amazing
One of my all time favs!
Unfortunately I saw the movie first so I didn’t read it. Heartbreaking movie though.
I think it’s written more for children/pre-teens, but it was good!
I saw the movie & it was heart wrenching!
Such a good book. It’s written from the perspective of a child that was growing up during a very difficult and confusing time.
Loved it, but remember its written for young adults
Cried so hard! Loved it!
I did enjoy the book and encouraged my 14 yr. old granddaughter to read it so we can discuss it after.
Really good
Sad!!!! Yes
So so sad. Sticks with you for a long time.
I read this recently for the book club I belong to. I thought it was no where near as good as the film, and read it in a day. At book club I then realised it was written for teenagers and then got it and thought it was a book every teenager should read
Tear jerker! I read it with my daughters a few years ago. I probably need to read it again with my youngest.
Excellent read.
Loved it but film was rubbish compared
Super book
The book was excellent. I agree the movie was not so good
Thank u all I’m going it to read it now❤❤
SPOILER:
For a number of reasons The Boy in the Striped Pajamas simply could not have happened. First, those fences were closely guarded; anyone digging on the opposite side would’ve been shot. If not, there would’ve been far more escapes with help from insurgents. Concentration camp fences were electrified; those who could no longer tolerate suffering threw themselves into the fences to commit suicide. No way would the commandant’s child be anywhere near those fences. The Nazis kept no one around who couldn’t be productive. Those over 50, pregnant women and children were sent straight from transport to the gas chambers… the few exceptions were those reserved for medical experiments. I’m always bothered by books that play on emotions but aren’t based on fact. IMO, every middle school student should be required to read Night by Elie Wiesel, then again in high school and then again in college survey class. His is the real child’s perspective of the Holocaust. For me, TBITSP trivializes, glosses over, hijacks, and sentimentally and commercially exploits the Holocaust in exchange for a tragedy about a Nazi family. A family who could have smelled burning corpses from their porch, and a tragedy that could never have happened. The real tragedy is Schmuel who would’ve been dead and burned and scattered within hours after stepping off the train. And the seven million others who also died.
@Deborah I dont think the author is saying it’s a true story
Susan Smith Neither do I.
@Deborah I agree 100%
@Deborah totally agree with your salient words. Fiction book with no factual basis and anyone that thinks it has some semblance to reality is incorrect.
I really agree with these statements. Especially the part about exploiting the holocaust to gain sympathy for a nazi family.
A masterpiece.
Incredible
Wonderful! Makes you think!
Got it for Christmas. In my “to be read” pile
It’s a good, entertaining easy read. My kids 13 and 11 likes it too
I believe it’s a YA book. I loved it …. I cried reading the book and watching the movie. It may not be all factual but for me it gave me some insight to an era I knew nothing about and was therefore easy to give to my granddaughter to read to enlighten her. It was helpful when she recently had to learn about the holocaust.
I hadn’t seen the movie so went in with no expectations, such an emotive book xxx
great movie, never read book.
Great. A must read.
Leaves an indescribable ache in your heart
It was tough but WOW!!!!
It should be a mandatory read for middle school students.
Great book x
It’s a fantastic story and it will make u cry
It’s very sad
Great book x
Excellent
Love it but then I taught the book to special needs teen-agers for 6 years!!! Inspired me to visit Auschwitz when I was in Krakow a few years ago. ?
Loved loved it!
Loved it
From this site and in words from an Auschwitz survivor: “So what will the students studying this as required reading take away from it? The camps certainly weren’t that bad if youngsters like Shmuley, Bruno’s friend, were able to walk about freely, have clandestine meetings at a fence (non-electrified, it appears) which even allows for crawling underneath it, never reveals the constant presence of death, and survives without being forced into full-time labor. And as for those people in the striped pajamas — why if you only saw them from a distance you would never know these weren’t happy masqueraders! My Auschwitz friend read the book at my urging. He wept, and begged me tell everyone that this book is not just a lie and not just a fairytale, but a profanation. No one may dare alter the truths of the Holocaust, no matter how noble his motives.” https://www.aish.com/j/as/48965671.html
I added this to my “to read” list
Loved the book & movie. ?
Very sad but amazing.
Heartwrenching but worth the read
Such a sad book.
Sad – but it reminds you that we must never let anything like that happen again
Sad and innocently told through the eyes of a child
Don’t do it ? broke my heart for years!
the book or film
i watched the film first .
So sad
Loved it. Tissues near by.
It was so shocking and sad
I cried ???
Poorly written and simplistic. Was thoroughly disappointed given the gravity of the subject matter.
Very good book for younger YA readers who may not have a lot of background information on the Holocaust. John Boyne writes excellent historical fiction for YA readers and adults!
I sincerely disagree. There is very little fact in this novel and truly trivializes the gravity of the holocaust. The idea that a child prisoner was able to get past the fence to have play dates makes it seem like the holocaust wasn’t as inhuman as it truly was. There are other great historical fictions that people should read that honor the significance of this event.
Great read.. it does in my opinion require some knowledge of WWII. If a child does not gave any knowledge, it’s a good point to start.
Great easy emotional read for young and adult readers
Sad. Sad
Get tissues.
Omg so gut wrenching!! I loved it though
Watched the film too
That one was hard for me. It’s incredibly sad
Broke my heart, I swear I stopped breathing for a bit.
It’s an easy read but very sad. You will need tissues. I haven’t seen the movie but I always wanted to read the book.
Sounds like a good name for a George Pell biography ?
I read book and the writing style put me off. Watched the film and was very disturbed by it
Oooh so moving
A must read!
Haven’t read it yet. The reviews I’ve read were half and half. Some hated it & others, very few liked it. ??♀️
It’s on my TBR list ?
No wait, those were for, ‘ A Man Called Ove’. NM. ?
Very sad but worth reading
Utterly heartwrenching but brilliant story. X
Get a punching bag and a box of tissues!!
Loved it
Cried like a baby ?
Beautiful book
Agree with @Pat
I saw the movie 1st and liked it better….but look at it through a child’s eyes and it will be less annoying…..I listened to the audiobook.
I didn’t enjoy the simplicity or the style of writing
Tissues. Lots of tissues.
<3
Loved it…
OHenry
Seen the film, makes you very angry and sad ?
Perfect book for preteens to start reading about the Holocaust.
loved the book and movie
Even looking at the cover makes me sad. So sad.?
I love it …I read with my children I thought it was more aimed at the younger reader they really enjoyed it till towards the end when I could not stop crying cause I know what was going to happen. I had to explain what happened during world war 2 when people were taken of to the death camps …. not an easy thing to explain to,them
Loved it. A book I’ll never forget. Things seen from a child’s eyes are either right or wrong, there is no in-between. If only we all continued throughout life, viewing things this way, our world would be a different place.
I “stole” it from my 8th grade daughter, who was reading it for school. Finished the book in one day (she had to bring it back to school the next day). I thought it was So touching and horrifying at the same time.
Excellent
An amazing book – emotional – I prefer it to the film x
I couldn’t stop crying In the end?
I can’t review, it is so sad on every level, so emotional. A must read though x
Loved it
Heartbreaking. I wish I’d never read it.