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The Reader (Der Vorleser) is a novel by German law professor and judge Bernhard Schlink. It was published in Germany in 1995 and in the United States (translated into English by Carol Brown Janeway) in 1997. It deals with the difficulties which subsequent generations have in comprehending the Holocaust; specifically, whether a sense of its origins and magnitude can be adequately conveyed solely through written and oral media. This question is increasingly at the center of Holocaust literature in the late 20th and early 21st century, as the victims and witnesses of the Holocaust die and its living memory begins to fade.

Schlink's book was well received in his native country, and also in the United States, winning several awards. The novel was a departure from Schlink's usual detective novels. It became the first German novel to top The New York Times bestseller list. It has been translated into 37 languages and has been included in the curricula of college-level courses in Holocaust literature and German language and German literature. A 2008 film adaptation directed by Stephen Daldry was nominated for five Academy Awards.

The story is told in three parts by the main character, Michael Berg. Each part takes place in a different time period in the past.

Part I begins in a West German city in 1958. After 15-year-old Michael becomes ill on his way home, 36-year-old tram ticket-taker Hanna Schmitz notices him, cleans him up, and sees him safely on his way home. They begin a relationship.

In Part II, seven years later, while attending law school, he is part of a group of students observing a war crimes trial.

Part III: many years have passed and Michael, is still trying to come to terms with his feelings for Hanna.

The book is on the list of 1001 books to read before you die.

I thought that sometimes, especially during the trial, the book became a bit dry. I did not lose respect for Michael when he did not speak up. It was Hannas choice to keep her secret and I do not think that he had the right to ignore that and say something just so he would feel better; in the long run he did end suffering due to the guilt he felt. Maybe she felt that she deserved to be punished.

We never really knew what Hannah felt or why she did the things that she did, both during the war and during the trial as the story was not told from her perspective but from that of Micheal who was trying to justify her actions for his own peace of mind. This was after all a woman that he loved, and he would find it very difficult to look at her and see a monster. As a result I did find myself sympathising with Hanna at times. Michael was also dealing with his (and his generations) struggle to come to terms with the crimes of the Nazis; a very complicated issue.

Book reserved as a part of the UK 'books into films' virtual book box run by Taxmanager.

Posted to disneyfreaksam, winner of UK Never Won a Sweepstake.

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