The Reader, By Bernhard Schlink

A girl friend of mine said, “Anne, I’ve seen this movie at the Manor it is called The Reader and you’ve got to go see it.”

I thought, “Well, I don’t know if I’ll get to the movie, but I’ll buy the book.”

My co-worker the next day said, “Anne, I’ve seen this movie at the Manor it is called The Reader, I think you would enjoy it.”

I thought, “Okay that’s a sign.” I purchase the book and it sits on my bedside table for a while.

Then I go to my book club and I mention this book as a possible selection, even thought I had just started the novel. A lady at the other end of the table who hadn’t heard my recommendation said, “You know what we should read, The Reader.”

I read the book and was really blown away by it. It is a profound book. One of the blurbs on the back of the book says, “A masterly work… The reviewer’s sole and privileged function is to say as loudly as he is able, Read this and Read it again. ” by: Georg Steiner. I completely agree. This isn’t just a book it is literature. Michael is a fifteen year old boy who is sickly in nature and quite lonely. He has a relationship with Hanna who is 36 at the time when the relationship starts. The story is set in postwar Germany. The story is beautiful, haunting, and sad. There are consequences for everyone’s actions. I won’t give it away, but you must read this book.

4 out of 4 Stars

Reviewed By: Anne Egger, Library Services