So, this book didn't do that much for me. I really wanted to like it, to love it even but it just wasn't there. I think there was a lot lost in the translation from German to English.
I couldn't connect with the characters and while the ending was a shock, it should've done so much more to me. The narrator spent so much time talking about how numb he was and about things like law...
more So, this book didn't do that much for me. I really wanted to like it, to love it even but it just wasn't there. I think there was a lot lost in the translation from German to English.
I couldn't connect with the characters and while the ending was a shock, it should've done so much more to me. The narrator spent so much time talking about how numb he was and about things like law and stories that were completely irrelevant to what was happening. I just couldn't get into it.
I think there are some good points brought up in The Reader. I think everyone who has ever had their heart broken can relate to the "numb" feelings he spoke so openly about. I think we can all relate to the fact that making yourself feel nothing instead of something is just easier and there's no responsibility in that, no guilt. No need to let anything touch you and the feeling of invincibility really is there.
Some might be able to relate to Hannah and her situation though I don't think there's ever a "good" reason to do what she did in the end.
There are some valuable things to take from The Reader. Some interesting things.
It's a really unique book in that it is the woman who is "heartless" instead of the man. It is the woman who leaves her lover and leaves him a disaster. It is the man who is affected for a lifetime by being in love with someone instead of the woman. I really like that. It shows that women aren't always the "weak" ones, that men indeed do have emotions and can be affected and hurt by a relationship.
I like the style of writing. The sentences were short and to the point though this also created a lack in character development so you win some, you lose some I suppose.
The chapters are short and the book is in three parts, I like that, it goes by quickly.
Overall, I wasn't greatly impressed with it. As a part of Oprah's Book Club, I was really expecting it to be just amazing and Kate Winslet in the movie, she ALWAYS delivers but this just wasn't there for me. (I know it's Oprah, but she really does know her books. haha.)
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