Journal Entry 1 by jeniwren from Greigs Flat, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, February 16, 2008

For 15 year old Michael Berg, a schoolboy in postwar Germany, a chance meeting with Hannah, a woman twenty years older than he, leads to far more than he ever imagined. Before long they embark on an intense affair. Years later, as a law student observing a war crimes trial, Michael is shocked to learn that Hanna is among the defendents.

Michael deeply affected by the relationship is unable to let go of the past and grapples with the fact that a woman he had passionately loved is a hated war ciminal.
 

Journal Entry 2 by jeniwren from Greigs Flat, New South Wales Australia on Saturday, February 16, 2008

Sending this one in controlled release via Australia Post to Nhulunbuy in Northern Territory Australia as part of a Bookmooch to my *friend in books* Nikki. Enjoy and happy reading!
jeniwren 

Journal Entry 3 by nikkilovesbooks from Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory Australia on Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Thanks so much, Jenny. The book arrived in the post yesterday, with some interesting little extras. 

Journal Entry 4 by nikkilovesbooks from Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory Australia on Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Great short read. What an intriguing look at relationships and responsibilities. I feel I should be more moved by the story than I am. Maybe a little something was lost in the translation. I sometimes felt we were distanced from the story & it could have been a lot more emotional in places. I am posting it off to Poobah1 in the USA as winner of the Smile Day RABCK. Hope you enjoy it. 

Journal Entry 5 by Poobah1 from Lake Elmo, Minnesota USA on Monday, June 02, 2008

Journal Entry 6 by Poobah1 from Lake Elmo, Minnesota USA on Saturday, December 27, 2008

Interesting. I feel Nikki put it well with her "distanced" comment in previous JE. I can't grasp why Michael was so intrigued with Hannah. I doubt if I'll see the movie when it is released here in the US (shortly.) I don't know what I'll do with this one just yet. Probably send it to another BookCrosser. We'll see. 

Journal Entry 7 by Poobah1 at At a meet-up, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, January 04, 2009

Released 3 yrs ago (1/4/2009 UTC) at At a meet-up, a fellow bookcrosser -- Controlled Releases

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Journal Entry 8 by JudySlump612 from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA on Monday, January 05, 2009

I'm so thrilled to have a book that's travelled all the way from Australia! I promise to treat it with the respect it deserves. I think I'll save it to release in October at the Kansas City USA Convention so it's sure to be picked up by another bookcrosser and continue its journey. 

Journal Entry 9 by JudySlump612 from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

After reflecting for a couple of days, I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. For one thing, I guessed Hanna's secret relatively early, and I kept being reminded of Ruth Rendell's _Judgment in Stone_, which handles the same subject. And at the end, I was frustrated by Michael's indifference to Hanna, and then I'd have to remind myself, "Wait a minute - Hanna is a Nazi war criminal. How does she deserve any tenderness?" I guess this is something a lot of people in Germany had to work through, and maybe that's the point of the book.

Like nikkilovesbooks and Poobah1, I did feel distanced from the story. It's interesting that all three of us had the same reaction. Maybe it was a product of the translation? 

Journal Entry 10 by debpeg from Taylors, South Carolina USA on Monday, December 28, 2009

I was on a cruise to Hawaii and the ship had a library where you could check out books, but I was drawn to the "take one, leave one" bookcase. I could see why most people "left one," but this was a book I really wanted to read. I saw the bookcrossing sticker in the inside cover. As much as I would love to keep this book, I will buy my own copy and keep sending this one on its way.

CAUGHT IN AT SEA IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN ON THE WAY TO HAWAII US