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jessica's Reviews > The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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quick reread because, lets face it, im high-key obsessed with john boyne. this is my seventh JB book in less than a month. when i hit my tenth, someone please stage an intervention. lol.
i first read this years ago, so i forgot just how innocent the perspective of this story is. which i think makes it even more haunting. we, as humans, are not born with hatred; its something we learn and acquire throughout life. and what a horrible thing that is. to see how carefree a child can be in the most horrific of times is so heartbreaking, because it shows he doesnt have to capacity to see how truly monstrous humanity can be. this story is definitely one to make your mind reflect and your heart ache.
� 4.5 stars
i first read this years ago, so i forgot just how innocent the perspective of this story is. which i think makes it even more haunting. we, as humans, are not born with hatred; its something we learn and acquire throughout life. and what a horrible thing that is. to see how carefree a child can be in the most horrific of times is so heartbreaking, because it shows he doesnt have to capacity to see how truly monstrous humanity can be. this story is definitely one to make your mind reflect and your heart ache.
� 4.5 stars
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
2010
–
Finished Reading
June 12, 2012
– Shelved
Started Reading
June 1, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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Amber’s reading
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Jun 02, 2019 10:52AM
I have yet to read this author, but have many of his books on my TBR. What should I start with?
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Amber start with this one! And then watch the movie. It’s so good.
amber - the hearts invisible furies, for sure. i think its his longest, but its also his best!! but if you like historical fiction, then i agree with kadi. this is targeted for middle grade/YA, but its still a powerful story.
Great review! I also really enjoyed this book and find it is great for young readers and introducing them to this topic! His writing is really phenomenal; my biggest struggle is how historically inaccurate the premise is: a child would never have survived the first night in Auschwitz because they were all sent to the crematorium there. After teaching about the Holocaust for so many years, it was really hard for me to get over that factual error even though I know the story he is telling is much bigger than just this one child.
when it comes to WWII stories, or any historical fiction for that matter, i always take it with a grain of salt. i know that they arent going to be 100% historically accurate, but like you said, sometimes the stories are much bigger than that. im glad to hear that it didnt stop you from enjoying this, though!also, ps. i need to say how amazing it is that you taught about the holocaust. its such an important topic and i am glad you facilitated the learning of it!!
I also found it hard to read because of the way he utilises the holocaust like a literary device (he says himself that it's to be taken as a parable / allegory, not historically accurate- children surviving the camps, the blatant ridiculousness that a boy of an SS officer would know nothing of what is going on when that was how Hitler got the youth (by brainwashing them early through education with propaganda), and other inconsistencies.This leaves a gimmicky aftertaste in my mouth.
I think your review is spot on (humans are not born with hatred) but then it also leaves out the role of responsibility and recognising the monster in all of us, so as not to believe there are some 'innocents' who cannot be involved, when everyone is.
aw man. im so sorry you feel this way. i can see your point, im not sure i feel the same, but i do feel bad that this wasnt an enjoyable reading experience for you. i hope your next book is much better!! :)
Thank you Jessica, this is why I love reading your reviews because I get to see different points of view.
i completely agree!!
