BOOK REVIEW: The Reader

Several years ago I read THE READER by Bernhard Schlink. The book totally intrigued me. This week a group of friends and I watched the movie and I was reminded how impressed I had been with the story. 

 

The setting is postwar Germany. Fifteen-year-old Michael Berg is on his way home from school when he becomes violently ill. He is rescued by Hanna, a woman nearly twice his age. They are quickly involved in a passionate and oddly intimate affair. They spend a large part of their time together with Michael reading to Hanna. Then, she inexplicably disappears.

Eight years later, Michael is a law student attending a trial of Nazi prison guards. A group of women, including his ex-lover Hanna, have been accused of the murder of hundreds of Jewish women. The secret that could save her is a secret that she sees as more shameful than murder. The decision that Michael must make is to save her or allow her to maintain her pride.

So many books have been written about the Holocaust, many of them excellent. Most of them deal with the victims’ story; THE READER tells a story from a different view.

The movie captured the essence of the characters and the situation perfectly, thanks to excellent casting. Young Michael was played by German actor David Kross. Not only is he very good, but his physical resemblance to Ralph Fiennes, who plays the adult Michael, was strong.

Kate Winslet was definitely Oscar worthy as Hanna. She was able to evoke sympathy for a person who was accused of horrible crimes.

I suggest that either the book or the movie find its way to you. In fact, I would suggest both. The characters are well developed and easy to relate to, even if the situations are ones that you and I will probably never see. The plot is different from most books being written and full of some heart breaking surprises. THE READER is worth your time.