Book Review | The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
By Mrs S • Jul 5th, 2008 • Category: 5 stars, 50 book challenge, Book Blowout, Reviews, Summer Reading, Summer Reading Thing
Buy The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas today from Amazon
Rating
5 stars - a small book with a killer punch ending
Description
The story of “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the cover, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about. If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn’t a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence. We hope you never have to cross such a fence.
Why did you choose to read this book?
I picked up a copy of The Boy in Striped Pyjamas when it appeared in the bargain bin at the supermarket - and thought it would be a nice light read…hmmm…not quite!
The Book Review
If you have never read this book I suggest you go out today and buy a copy - it is quite a compelling and extremely well written book - and don’t let its YA status put you off either.
I will admit that the first couple of pages felt quite clunky to read but once I settled down I pretty much read it from cover to cover in a couple of hours on a wet and windy Saturday afternoon.
This is the story of Bruno - a nine-year-old boy who has to leave his beloved home - with five floors and a banister that you can slide down - to live in a house with only three floors in a place called Out-With. This is the story of Bruno - a nine-year-old-boy who doesn’t understand why he can’t go out ot play with the little boys who appear at the bottom of his garden. This is the story of Bruno - a nine-year-old-boy who goes out to explore one day and sees ‘a dot in the distance become a speck and that spot becomes a blob and that becomes a figure and that in turn becomes a boy in striped pyjamas.’
This is a story about a time in history most of us would like to forget - but that we should be forced to remember - and the terrible things that can happen when people keep secrets from each other…
Have you reviewed this book?
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Mrs S is is a lover of books! These are my thoughts on the books I've read. Have a different view? Leave me a comment below :)
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Looked at this one a time or two in the local Waterstones, never quite gone for it though, there has always been something else to make up the 3 for 2 that I wanted more, perhaps I should give it a go, as I’ve heard little but praise for it.
Barts last blog post..The Uncommon Reader
Hi Bart - thanks for stopping by - it’s definitely worth a read if you can lay your hands on a copy
I hadn’t heard of this one, sounds good
tracys last blog post..Beautiful Death by Joely Sue Burkhart
I really enjoyed this when I read it a while ago.
My review can be found here:
http://readingadventures.blogspot.com/2008/02/boy-in-striped-pyjamas-by-john-boyne.html
Margs last blog post..100+ Challenge complete
Every review I read makes this book sound more intriguing.
Jeanes last blog post..The Devil’s Storybook
this was one of my favorite reads of 2007. my review is here:
http://books4alison.blogspot.com/2007/11/boy-in-striped-pajamas-by-john-boyne.html
alisonwonderlands last blog post..Keeping Busy in July
I read this book just last month and it has to be one of the few books that left quite a huge impact on me. It’s a sad book but I’m happy for Bruno and Shmuel who became firm friends.
Josettes last blog post..Friday Finds (July 4, 2008)
So glad I found your site! I like your taste in books!
I read this earlier this year and thought it was fantastic. It really made me think and stayed with me for a very long time.
Joannas last blog post..New Classics Challenge
A wonderful little book with a killer punch ending like you said. I really liked this one although Bruno certainly is annoying.