Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne

This is one of the best books that I have read in quite a while. I first seen it in Asda but as it was still in hardback and the sleeve didn't give much away I didn't buy it. Then just a few days later it appeared in my mam's copy of The Book People magazine. As it was cheaper than Asda (by a couple of pound) and the magazine hinted slightly towards what the story was about I decided to give it a go and so I bought it. And I'm so glad I did… "The story of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the jacket but in this case we think that would spoil the book. We think it is important that ...  Read the complete review

For personal reasons, ones of which I shall not go into, I found myself spending the Christmas period in hospital. Now, even if you have never stayed overnight in a ward, I'm sure you can imagine how incredibly boring and lonely it would be, never mind staying for an entire week! This stay was quite sudden, and I did not have a lot of time to pack my things, or even what I should be taking with me! So, I ended up twiddling my thumbs for several hours on the lumpy bed, awaiting the arrival of my visitors. My friends are very loyal and caring, so it is to my benefit that the one great mate who came and visited me on the day I was admitted kindly brought me a few ...  Read the complete review

This book, so reads the Guardian quote adorning its front cover, relates the story of "a moment in history that can't be told enough times". Falling within the already heavily-stuffed genre of war novels; specifically Holocaust literature, that statement may not be entirely true. A lot has been said about the subject, and though it is undoubtedly one which merits the scrutiny, it takes a special kind of novel to offer a fresh perspective on the well-documented horrors without exploiting them for emotional impact. The ostensible success of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas suggests that this is one of those novels. A bestseller around the world, John ...  Read the complete review

I read 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' as a recommendation from my friend, and found out after, that lots of people I knew had read it also. This was something I found quite unusual, as it is essentially I regarded it as a children's book, although, dealling with adult themes, issues and so forth. I read it in one sitting and would thoroughly recommend it. This is a very accessible book, tenderly written by John Boyne - who has written other acclaimed children's books (such as 'The Thief of Time' and 'Next of Kin'). His work has also been translated in 17 languages! It pains me to classify TBITSP as a children's book - as the story unfolds, it's themes ...  Read the complete review

I find myself here in a very odd position. It is a unique position in that I find myself finally needing to talk about a book I finished reading last week, but up until now have not been able to form an opinion of or digest completely. Sometimes a very bold and brazen approach is taken towards a subject that touches a very painful place inside every person, sometimes, you are brought back to reality, to face certain truths about humanity that are too easily forgotten. Sometimes you need a little time to come to terms with something you just read, and to make your peace with it. I find myself needing to write about it for other people, and yet, if I were to tell you ...  Read the complete review