The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

[Kell]

It has indeed been selected for October. I'mlooking forward to hosting the discussion!

[Talisman]

I haven't read the book, but went to see the film which I loved. In fact you have all just reminded me it's on at our village cinema club this Sunday - so I can go to see it again.

[MuggleMagic]

The problem with the 'Reader' is that it was written in German for a German audience. I'm currently reading it in German and the English translation. Sorry to say the english translation is at times clumsy - maybe why some people hate the novel, if they read the English translation.

 

I read the translation and didn't find any faults with it

[Emm]

I finished reading this last night after only picking it up the night before - I don't know if I rattled through it so fast because it was so short (a mere 216 pages - half the length I usually even consider!) or because I had The Girl Who Played with Fire waiting for me on the bookshelf…

Whilst I found the book quite easy to read, I felt that the book wasn't long enough to really delve into the story, or to flesh out the characters and issues as I would have liked. As others have commented, I would have preferred the story to be written from both perspectives, as I didn't feel any sympathy for Hanna, only the adulation from a young boy struggling with his own guilt.

After reading a lot of excellent books this year, particularly translations, I was disappointed that this won't be one that I will be recommending to friends and family.

[sirinrob]

depends how you read - there is a hiden side...

[Valancourt]

This book surely deserves a place in my top ten. I love everything about it: the characters, the story and how it's written and described. There were any quotes in this book, which I will never forget, because of the fact they're so beautiful, emotional and cleverly invented. The film is also very good, but I liked the book more, cause those powerful quotes and beautifully written passages are impossible to shoot.

I've read this book three times; twice in German and once in Dutch. Although the Dutch translation is from a high level, I prefer the original in German. I always prefer to read a book in the original language.

[poppyshake]

I got this out from the library this week ... and so will definitely be reading it sometime in the next three weeks.

[Heffalumpi]

I really enjoyed the book so was a little apprehensive about seeing the film. I was really pleased that they did a good job with it. Would definitely recommend this book.

[Kell]

The film was on Sky this afternoon and I caught the last half of it. Still a good flick.

[poppy]

I found this a very memorable book, one that will stay with me forever and the movie is now one of my all time favourites. One thing I didn't pick up in either the film or book was....

the reason Hanna disappeared. She had been offered a promotion in her job which required her to read and write and rather than admit she couldn't, she ran away. Am I the only one that missed that?

[Denise]

I really loved this film & am waiting to get the book from my library.

[MuggleMagic]

I found this a very memorable book, one that will stay with me forever and the movie is now one of my all time favourites. One thing I didn't pick up in either the film or book was....

the reason Hanna disappeared. She had been offered a promotion in her job which required her to read and write and rather than admit she couldn't, she ran away. Am I the only one that missed that?

 

 

I think she was too proud to admit that she couldn't read or write.

 

[poppy]

The reason I thought Hanna left

was that she'd seen Michael mixing with friends his own age and thought she was somehow preventing his normal socialisation. I see now that Hanna was essentially a selfish character, whose primary consideration was herself. Michael I found far more likable. I thought it was sad that he was never really able to move on from their relationship and establish another successful one. He was forever haunted by Hanna.