The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

Advantages: Simple, wonderfully written
Disadvantages: Sad

This is one of the best books that I have read in quite a while. I first seen it in Asda but as it was still in hardback and the sleeve didn't give much away I didn't buy it. Then just a few days later it appeared in my mam's copy of The Book People magazine. As it was cheaper than Asda (by a couple of pound) and the magazine hinted slightly towards what the story was about I decided to give it a go and so I bought it. And I'm so glad I did… "The ...
...we give some clues about the book on the jacket but in this case we think that would spoil the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about" The cover of the book. (I thought it was worth putting in as the book is hard to describe) The cover then goes on to mention that if you do read the book you will go on a journey with a nine year old boy and sooner or later you will arrive at a fence. (This is not a ... Read review

Advantages: Compelling story, gentle and economic writing style
Disadvantages: Too subtle if you don't know the background

"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is the story of Bruno, a nine year old whose life is turned upside down when he returns home from school one afternoon to find the family maid hurriedly packing his clothes. He learns that the family - Bruno, his mother, his "hopeless case" twelve-year old sister and his father are leaving Berlin and moving to a place he knows only as "Out-With" for what is described as "the foreseeable future". When Bruno realises ...
...nine year old remarkably similar. The boy, however, is on the other side of a fence..... I have read reviews that mention that some versions of this book are deliberately vague about the story between the covers but I bought the paperback version that shows a section of a photograph of a child wearing a pair of pyjamas made from a coarse striped cloth. If you know anything about the holocaust and the Second World War, it will be instantly recognisable ... Read review

Advantages: Many surprises in one tiny book
Disadvantages: Perhaps too short...?

I read 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' as a recommendation from my friend, and found out after, that lots of people I knew had read it also. This I found quite unusual, as it is essentially a children's book, albeit dealling with adult themes, issues and so forth. I read it in one sitting and would thoroughly recommend it. This is a very accessible book, tenderly written by John Boyne - who has written other acclaimed children's books (such as ...
...a children's book - as the story unfolds, it's themes resonate more with adults, as I'm not sure if a reader of nine years old could fully apprecaite the profundity of what happens. The publishers have a made a conscious decision not to reveal anything about this book - as the unknown journey has far more impact than if you knew the location, plot and themes. However, I read the paperback version, and inside the front cover are extracts of reviews, ... Read review

Advantages: extremely thought provoking
Disadvantages: being an adult

...by CIAO and placed in the section of children's books. Although, the story is seen through the eyes of a child, its purpose and meaning would only be of significance to adults.* It's going to prove to be quite difficult to review this book, as it's a book that is best read without first being given any clues to the actual story. It's a simple story with a simple message, that will haunt your mind for sometime after. The books cover is plain and ...
...Perhaps not modestly enough, on the books sleeve it states: "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 it would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what its about" I have to admit it was the air of mystery, that persuaded me to purchase the book. Curiosity got the better of ... Read review

Advantages: very thought provoking
Disadvantages: disturbing

...a very different perception of the book than children. The blurb on the back cover reads “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." I agree totally with this so in keeping with the publishers’ wishes I am going to try and review it without spoiling the story for future readers. This ...
...nine year old. On the first page we read that Bruno comes home from school to find all his possessions packed away in boxes. He then learns that he is to leave his friends and move house. Bruno hates his new home and is lonely as he hasn’t got anyone to play with. Then one day he decides to go exploring, following the long fence that runs alongside his house as far as the eye can see. He meets another boy, Shumel who lives on the other side of the ... Read review