The Reader (Oprah's Book Club)

I really found this novel simple when I read it, but as I've aged, I can appreciate the complexities of this story a bit more. I'd like to read it again someday, to test my theory.

An incredible look at fragility, the legacy of Holocaust guilt on a recovering German population, and the complex relationships formed when developing from an adolescent into a man. Complicity and responsibility haunt both characters and the issues surrounding the German psyche are brought into powerful contrast with the notions of moving past a guilt filled past and the sins of others. Inspiring...more

An incredible look at fragility, the legacy of Holocaust guilt on a recovering German population, and the complex relationships formed when developing from an adolescent into a man. Complicity and responsibility haunt both characters and the issues surrounding the German psyche are brought into powerful contrast with the notions of moving past a guilt filled past and the sins of others. Inspiring and captivating.   hide

Nice to discover such a novelist...

This book is about pride and longing. It revolves around lovers who discovered each other in the midst of the arcane which is deeply rooted in the human heart. However, secrets are eventually revealed which was spoken through metaphors after many years of their separation from each other. It explores the reasons behind the pride and secrets. What I loved about it was the fact that the lover has...more

This book is about pride and longing. It revolves around lovers who discovered each other in the midst of the arcane which is deeply rooted in the human heart. However, secrets are eventually revealed which was spoken through metaphors after many years of their separation from each other. It explores the reasons behind the pride and secrets. What I loved about it was the fact that the lover has to protect his former lover's secret but then this secret, if revealed to the public, could save her life. The man is now trapped into a dilemma and has to find a way to save the woman and at the same time protect her secret.   hide

~And the connection is?~ First of all, I never found any connection between the part of the book where Hanna and Michael are having a deeply sexual relationship and the part where she is on trial. I know that Michael ties it together with illiteracy, but to me that seems weak. I also didn't understand Michael's having an obsession with Hanna, which was not always sexual, for all those years. At...more

~And the connection is?~ First of all, I never found any connection between the part of the book where Hanna and Michael are having a deeply sexual relationship and the part where she is on trial. I know that Michael ties it together with illiteracy, but to me that seems weak. I also didn't understand Michael's having an obsession with Hanna, which was not always sexual, for all those years. At the end something did seem to be showing a deeper message but I don't understand it still. The language kind of confused me, but it's really not that difficult. I don't know, see if you can understand this book or just enjoy it. (08/21/02)   hide

I first read The Reader years ago, and at the time, I remember thinking it was good, but I didn't get all the hype. I think at that time I lacked the maturity to really read this novel. Thinking back on the details now, I recognize how complex in it's simplicity this novel really is, and look forward to re-reading this book, to test my theory.

Controversial - and the back jacket does not adaquately describe the contents. The theme of avoiding responsibility - both personally, and as a society and culture permeates the book. It's the classic philosophy of an immature teenager, if I don't acknowlege something then it no longer exists - or I can avoid dealing with it. Troubling notions of the hierarchy of sins that somehow being...more

Controversial - and the back jacket does not adaquately describe the contents. The theme of avoiding responsibility - both personally, and as a society and culture permeates the book. It's the classic philosophy of an immature teenager, if I don't acknowlege something then it no longer exists - or I can avoid dealing with it. Troubling notions of the hierarchy of sins that somehow being illiterate is worse than sexual abuse of a minor, or active participation in the Holocaust. A disturbing novel about the process of choosing not to participate and engage with life. And that in the end, the choice not to participate is still a choice - and even if people don't claim or own their responsibility - they do not get to walk away.   hide

Depressing but captivating story! but qite honestly by the end of the book,there were times when I just wanted to shake the man and say dude just get over it!!! I've heard that the movie has a beautiful woman depicting the character in the book, that is not being true to the real story of the book!

Raw. Yeah, that pretty much sums it up...