The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Likewise Book Reviews

"The author has been begged by holocaust survivors to stop but hasn't. More can be found out in a video about him called Authors Behaving Badly."

"Written from the perspective of a 9 year old German boy, this story set at Auschwitz in 1942 is not a tale for tender ears. Boyne is a masterful storyteller. Even if I had to set it aside for a bit before I could finish the last two chapters. 👍🏻👍🏻"

"Don’t forget your tissue box"

"I recently watched the movie, So I decided why not read the book too. It was an amazing book #historical_fiction #ww2 #war #nazis #sad #tearjerker "

"Listened to the audiobook recently, I saw the movie first and forgot the tragic thing that happened and remembered now while listening to the book. It’s such a good book about a child developing a friendship with no thought of judging the new person of who they are, not letting others’ prejudices and judgments influence them (mostly because they didn’t understand) but it’s tragic for the somewhat unforeseen ending."

"This is one of the most influential World War Two books if we're looking at how many people have read it. I think there's something decidedly wrong about that, considering this book wasn't written by a Jewish individual or someone who lived through a concentration camp. The author says in an afterword note that because of these facts he decided to write from the view of a child (I.E. him) an outsider trying to make sense of what happened in World War Two. However, he simplified WWII to something almost foreign in his attempt to not dissect anything of value. Children's innocence is real and would have been present in a situation like this, however, growing up is also real and we have negative character development in this novel. Bruno keeps being "naive" to a completely unrealistic level throughout the entire novel. We dance around basically every word surrounding the holocaust for some unknown reason. If we avoid talking about the traumatizing things that would have traumatized the children during this period, aren't we simply demeaning real children's experiences during the holocaust? Now, I want to say that I don't hold this novel's success against him like some do. I think he was just trying to make sense of the war in his own way. I'm just saddened that this novel, out of all the countless ones written, became so popular. If you haven't read much WWII literature before, read "The Book Thief" instead you'll get much more out of it. Primarily read for: Disturbing Books Project"

"Beautiful and heartbreaking book. Historical fiction is my favorite "

"Extraordinary. And the audiobook is close to perfect. "

"An Emotional 🥲 read"

"We need books in our public school systems that truly teach of the Holocaust. The 'pajamafication' as it's called, softens the impact middle and high schoolers will receive from real accounts from real survivors. It sympathizes more with Nazis than with victims of the Holocaust."

"Very sad but great book"

"page-turner, tearjerker, one of the best books i’ve ever read"

"Love this book. The ending made me cry, it’s super sad but super well written."

"cryer for sure"

"Terrible book. Bruno is the dumbest kid I’ve ever read about. Prioritizes German feelings over Jewish lives. The Auschwitz Museum agrees. Should not be taught in schools, gives inaccurate view of the Holocaust. It is only sad because the Holocaust was a monumental tragedy and any story that involves it at all will include a reminder of that and therefore be sad. "

"It was interesting seeing the Holocaust through the eyes and mind of a young, naive boy. I often had to put the pieces together myself to figure out what was really going on, which I loved. "

"So very sad! A must-read for everybody who enjoys the historical fiction genre "

"Horribly offensive and the worst realistic fiction about WWII I have ever had the displeasure of reading. They made us read it in 8th grade, horrible way to teach thirteen year olds about such a tragedy. "

"finished 1.19 — 5/5"

"I don't really like the writing style. I like the movie better but I do appreciate how there are little details in the book that were not in the movie. "

"This a short read that everyone should make at least once."

"sad"

"HAD ME SOBBING"

"to the people who’ve loved this book, I’m sorry to say I disagree. I mean Bruno seemed a little stupid and a bit naive, even for a 9 year old. It was way less emotional for me than it was more of a “what the hell just happened” kind of reaction. I still get why you guys might like it but it’s just a big no to me "

"so heartbreaking; glad i read this. "

"Well written story. Sad ending "

"So very sad"

"I BAWLED. The meaning behind this is insane and crazy, when I figured out it was based on a true story I nearly threw the book away, the poor children. But greattt book I loved the detail and characteristics in this!! "

"I cried so hard!"

"made me cry ughhh, very recommend it’s sad"

"content warnings for this book (let me know if there are any I need to add, I plan to put content warnings in every book in my future classroom library): antisemitism, implied cheating, child death, concentration camps, gun violence, physical abuse, starvation"

"Didn't like madye because we had to read this book in school to sad "

"one of the saddest most heartbreaking books I’ve ever read yet the plot and the setting in this book were great"

"It was interesting, and a good book! I read it pretty quickly, and it told a good story, but it wasn’t super historically accurate. And schmeul should have probably been fleshed out more other than just a sad little boy. I understand what’s going on, but he seems like he doesn’t have much depth. 8/10"

"it's not ABOUT WWII but it takes place around the holocaust. a boy named bruno exploring outside of one of the concentration camps."

"Very sad story yet the interaction of the characters is very uplifting. Read this book twice. Watched the movie also."

"Earth-Shattering Book. I finished it while I was on the bus on my way home from school and I kid you not I was sobbing. This proves that being things like Racist, Homophobic etc. isn’t a habit, it’s taught. This book broke me for a good two days. "

"Good book. Hated the ending. "

"THIS BOOK ******* SUCKS. ITS POORLY WRITTEN AND ENDS WITH TRYING TO MAKE YOU SYMPATHIZE WITH NAZIS. NEVER READ IT. IT PRIORITIZES GERMAN FEELINGS OVER JEWISH VICTIMS. HORRIBLY INACCURATE AS A BOY BRUNOS AGE (especially with his father’s status in the Nazi regime) WOULD DEFINITELY KNOW AND HATE JEWISH PEOPLE. I DONT THINK THE AUTHOR IS JEWISH. STOP GIVING NON JEWISH AUTHORS MONEY FOR POORLY DEMONSTRATING JEWISH PAIN AND SUFFERING. THE AUSCHWITZ MUSEUM THINKS THE SAME. STOP READING TO IMPRESSIONABLE KIDS AND CALLING IT HOLOCAUST EDUCATION. THE DUMBING AND WATERING DOWN OF THIS TRADGEDY ONLY HARMS JEWISH COMMUNITIES FURTHER. AND THIS BOOK DID JUST THAT. "

"Heartbreaking"

"content warnings for this book (let me know if there are any I need to add, I plan to put content warnings in every book in my future classroom library): antisemitism, implied cheating, child death, concentration camps, gun violence, physical abuse, starvation"

"Right now harry potter "

"Had to read it for school, such a good book"

"This book is absolutely amazing. The author, John Boyne did a great job of depicting and telling the story of World War II and the Holocaust through the eyes of a young and curious, yet naive boy. This book tugs at all emotional heartstrings. Though the ending was in some ways anti-climatic, the ending left me, as a reader...resolved. No review can really give this book the justice it deserves, and I highly recommend that everyone reads it -- I'm glad I finally did.<br/>"

"Sooooooo sad, but an interesting take on historical fiction. Loved it, but it haunted me for days."

"I cried at parts of it because it was so sad - and I learned a lot about holocaust life which was very insightful: but at the same time theres a lot that is factually incorrect about the book"

"A thousand tears shed on this one. Wonderful novel."

"The tattooist of auschwitz is really good if you are interested in this type of genre "

"Yes and it broke my heart. I was in tears by the end."

":,,((("

"What these two boys went through was hard. No child should have to ever go through being beat or bruised. However, friendship can persevere and conquer hate."

"No words. Only tears!! 10/10"

"This is a really quick read but soooo amazing I love how it's written in the child's perspective"

"I don’t think there is enough words to describe how saddening and heart wrenching this book made me feel. I really hope everyone gets to read this book to share with me the heartbreak and impact this novel gives. Definitely a must read. Rating: 10/10"

"😔"

"This book is amazing but if ur sensitive I would say theres a few parts that are touchy. Especially the the ending. Over all its an amazing book and I would definitely recommend. "

"This was an amazing read! It literally made me cry. "

"This was a great book if you love historical fiction. "

"Holy ending! Read it in under 24 hours. An easy read."

"It was well written and this book will make you cry and see the innocence. Pure friendship. "

"Sad"

"Tearjerker"

"Like Holocaust stories and historical books"

"a fast read taking place during the holocaust "

"I enjoyed how the book is historical fiction firstly. Secondly I loved how the author showed true events through the eyes of a 9 year old boy who did not understand what was going on. It's like you can feel how the characters feel. 10/10 "

"I was thinking about it for weeks after. Heartbreaking, heartwarming, and friendship in unlikely places. The way these boys were with eachother til the end broke my heart and opened my eyes more into the true horror of the holocaust. "

"I will say this book is good, but the movie is better. If I had not seen the movie before hand I would have no idea what was going on. This was still worth the read though. "

"A heartbreaking perspective of a child’s experience through one of history’s darkest times "

"MF ITS SAD "

"Amazing... Moving... Heartbreaking.... This book will rip your heart out, but in a touching way. Not for the faint-hearted though. It can get intense."

"such an amazing book. brought me a lot of realization about history and life back then. read this amazing book and then go watch the movie :) "

"It’s the best book for a weekend read! This is a quick and easy read and is filled with heart warming parts throughout the book!"

"One of the saddest books I’ve read in a while, not sure if sad is the right word but it made me feel some sort of grief, if you’re looking for a book to cry on this is the one "

"Thanks! Yes, I know this is left field, but I loved The Help. "

"I had to read this for school but it was a very good book and the movie was on Netflix I'm not sure if it's still there or not."

"Tear jerker..."

"Once again the book out does the movie. Very sad an heart felt."

"A Night Divided is a really good one."

"This is such a good book! One of my favorites along with the lovely bones!"

"i loved this book. it made me cry and really had me thinking a lot about the horrors of the holocaust. great story with the characters Bruno and Shmuel, though. "

"I usually don't write reviews on the books I read, but this was an exception, and it needed to be. I first want to note that my review is simply my own opinion and is not meant to be offensive in any way. Interpret it as you must, but it is simply opinion.<br/><br/>In all my research of the Holocaust and World War II, this is by far one of the worst portrayals I have ever come across. It was basically a waste of my time (I could have found a much better Holocaust portrayal to read.)<br/><br/>Not only were the details almost completely wrong, but I think it could have been written so much better. A young German boy at this time would know more than Bruno does about his country and the war in general. Not to mention the fact that he messes up words that would be important in his everyday life, like calling Hitler "The Fury." His father is an important German soldier, and it doesn't make sense that Bruno would continue to mispronounce words even when he was corrected more than once.<br/><br/>Also, the fences encircling the camp would have been electrified, and no prisoner would go near them. That's the whole point for the watch towers. Anyone who went near the fence would either be committing suicide, or would be shot down by one of the guards. So it would be physically impossible for Bruno to pass through food and crawl under the fence.<br/><br/>I would think that a boy Bruno's age would know enough not to go near the camp, especially when his father was Commandant of the camp. He would know the common German belief at that time that Jews and Germans didn't mix.<br/><br/>Other than the fence issue, guards would have been watching the whole camp. There would probably never be a time where a certain spot was unguarded, so at least one of the officers would have caught the two boys near the fence.<br/><br/>There's just so much that doesn't add up in this book, and I can't correct everything. There were good elements in this book, but I think the wrongs cancelled out the rights in this case.<br/><br/>The boys' friendship would be pretty much impossible given that the historical information was correct. Someone would have found out or the would have been caught. The book in general shares a good message, but I feel that it's overlooked by people like me who tend to focus on the details of a story.<br/><br/>Because I focus on details and tend to be nit picky, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas was just plain frustrating for me to read."

"I really wanted to like this story. I'd heard of it back when they made it into a movie a few years ago. I figured it must be a good story/book if they made it into a movie. I'm interested in historical fiction, especially WWII stories. Again I say that I really wanted to like this. <br/><br/>Sadly, I didn't. <br/><br/>I gave it two stars because it had potential. It just didn't hit the mark. It took me a <i>really long time</i> to read this book, especially considering how short it was. But it just never really drew me in. It wasn't one of those books where I just couldn't put it down. <br/><br/>I had problems right from the start with the author's writing style. I didn't like the run-on sentences with lots of conjunctions and phrases that were obviously very important and meaningful and were repeated throughout the rest of the story and you just knew they were important even though they were repetitive. See what I mean? It's distracting. I did not feel like the voice of Bruno was that of a young boy. I felt like the narration was almost exclusively from Bruno's point of view, with occasional deviances into other characters' perspectives. That was distracting for me, too. I have nothing against 3rd person omniscient, but I felt like the author needed to pick one and stick to it. <br/><br/>Another thing that I had issue with was that the eponymous character didn't even show up until halfway through the story. I felt like if the author felt that this was the most important character - he named the book after him, after all - that he should have been introduced, or at least mentioned, or SOMETHING before 50% through the book. <br/><br/>Okay, one more (not-too-spoilery) thing that bothered me was the "clever" mispronunciations of Bruno. I understand why the author did that, but it didn't really fit. Sure, if these kids spoke English, I get it. But they don't. Even though the book was written in English, these characters would be speaking German. So Bruno hearing "The Fury" instead of "The Führer" doesn't really make sense. Fury isn't a German word. Same with Bruno saying "Out-With." Those aren't German words. Perhaps I'm being too literal, but...it annoyed me. <br/><br/>Okay, several more things are spoilery, so they're going under the cut...<spoiler><br/><br/>Bruno thinks of his Grandmother often, fondly remembering their performances at holidays. When she died, I thought that Bruno would be more upset. But he barely seemed to notice. The narration says there were sad days in Berlin, but other than that...it didn't seem to affect him. <br/><br/>There was a lot of stuff with Lt. Kotler that wasn't explicitly stated, and I wonder a lot about that. This is a YA book; I don't think that most of the things implied would occur to the target age group. Maybe it was just me, but I felt like those things (his relationships with both Gretel and Mother, for example) were kind of inappropriate and unnecessary. Also, why didn't the author use the word that Kotler kept calling the waiter? Young kids would have no idea what kind of words the Nazi soldier would use. In fact, I'm not even completely sure what word the author was going for there. Maybe he wasn't either. <br/><br/>I find it pretty difficult to believe that for over a year Shmuel was able to go to the fence just about every day to talk to Bruno, and NO ONE NOTICED. I honestly don't know <i>that</i> much about how Auschwitz was run from day to day, but I have a feeling that children were not allowed to wander, with hours of time unaccounted for. <br/><br/>The ending...ugh, the ending. As soon as Bruno crawled under the fence, I had a feeling that things wouldn't end well for either boy. I am pretty conflicted about the ending. I guess it's powerful, but also...I feel like it could have been done much better. I felt like the author could have explored the utter confusion and terror that Bruno was going through. But I guess that he didn't want to be too explicit. He just lingered somewhere between, and it didn't really work for me.</spoiler><br/><br/>Overall, as I said, there was potential here. I just didn't really like how it was carried through, despite my efforts to like it."

"I really enjoyed the writing style and the perspective of the nine year old boy. It brought a sense of innocence to the very difficult subject of the Holocaust."