Synopsis:
"The story of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the cover, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about. If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence. We hope you never have to cross such a fence."

On the final day of this year I started to read this book and I got completely lost in it. I must admit, that I hadn't expected that, don't know exactly why, but I just didn't start it earlier.
I was expecting quite a heavy read, but despite the subject, it was not. Probbly because the things that were happening are described from the point of view of a 9-year old. The way he dragged me into his life, showed me the world around Auschwitz through his eyes... There are really no good ways to express what I feel.

I am really glad that I read it. And the fact that I finished it in one read (did not even get up to get me some coffee)says a lot. I was only going about with this little boy. I knew of course what was happening at the other side of the fence, at some points I wanted to shout at him, warn him, tell him the thruth.
The end was very undexpected (I did not see the movie(yet)), but somehow just.

Strongly recommended!!

For the record I must admit, that it took me about 70 pages to recognize his pronunciation of the camp's name for what it really was....

First of all: Happy birthday to you!!

My first release this year is also my first act of participation in the 2012 Birthday RABCK-group. I noticed this book on the wish list of the person first on the list. It happened to be a nice, quick read, so I'm able to send it out in time.
I hope it arrives soon, I hope you like the book as much as I did.

So excited to receive this wish list book for my birthday :)

Thank you very much, Boekentrol. I am looking forward to reading it soon.

One of the reviews on the back says: "Simply written and highly memorable. There are no monstosities on the page but the true horror is all the more potent for being implicit" and that is just so true. It is very simply written and very readable, and I am sure I will come back to it later to re-read it. I, too, read it in a single sitting, which says a lot for me. I think Bruno and Shmuel will remain with me for quite a while

(By the way, it took me quite a while to recognise "Out-With", too - and "The Fury" wasn't immediately obvious until I'd read it about 3 times!)

For now, this book is looking for a good home...

Someone asked for this as part of my Birthday RABCK but instead of sending it out immediately, I am reserving it as a birthday surprise later this year. Hope it will be worth the wait!

I put this to one side for your birthday - and then very cleverly managed to miss your birthday :S I am really sorry about that. I hope you had a lovely birthday, and I hope you enjoy this book.

Unexcusable: I am so very, very late in passing this book on for your birthday - even though I have had it on one side, reserved in your name, for months and months... :S

I'm very sorry, I hope you had a lovely day and I hope even more that you enjoy this book!

Very best wishes from NRW :)

Thank you so much for this belated birthday present! Our kids are on school vacation right now and I was gone for a few days, so this probably arrived several days ago. I like that my birthday stretches out this year!

I finally got around to reading this. We watched the movie a while ago, but the book was even better. Very sad story, but very well written. My only complaint is that I think a 9-year-old, living in Berlin in 1942, could not possibly have been so ignorant as to not have known about Jews and the yellow star. And when a 9-year-old sees lots of people behind barbed wire, surely it would occur to him that this is some sort of a prison? I found that ignorance simply too unbelievable. But otherwise it was a very powerful story, one that everybody should read and remember!

The book is going on a mini-ray to Malaysia and Australia. I'll take it to the post office tomorrow morning.

Reading order:
1. tohweiee (Malaysia, shipping to Asia if possible or Int.)
2. leahjett (NZ, shipping to NZ/AU, if need be int.)
3. ULRK (Romania, ship int)
4. HappyHarryBabe (UK, ship UK or EU)

This arrived today! Yay! I'm about to finish Murakami's Kafka on the Shore, so this will be next on my list.

Thank you for starting the ray and for sending me the book, grovalskii!

I'm done with this book. Have PMed leahjett for her address and will send if off once she replies.

Thanks for starting this ray again!

Finally on its way to the next reader. Sorry for the long delay. Enjoy!