The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas. Book Review.

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas (Book Review.)

 

In the midst of 2004, an Irish man, called John Boyne, began writing a story. He had one idea in mind: Two boys talking at a fence where they weren’t meant to be. He was so invested in his story that he was too afraid to stop. Because of this, he completed the first draft in just three days.

 

John Boyne has written many novels, but none will match the success which he received from The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas. Developed into a Miramax film in 2008 (Starring: Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon), John Boyne was set financially for the rest of his life.

 

The story of The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas takes place in Nazi Germany during World War 2. We follow an eight-year-old named Bruno, a naive boy, who struggles to understand his surroundings. His father is the commandant of a concentration camp, and his family is moved away from their huge home in Berlin to live in a desolate place in the countryside, near a strange camp. In this camp, in Bruno’s eyes, it’s a camp where people play games and get to wear striped pyjamas all day.

 

Bruno, who is an avid explorer, becomes very intrigued by the camp and takes a walk by the fence. A fence which he isn’t allowed by. He meets a Jewish boy named Shmuel, and he struggles to realise why a boy, the same age as him, isn’t allowed out in the world like he is. The two boys become very good friends.

 

The end of the novel, is a sad one. Shmuel’s father has disappeared in the camp (he’d been killed), but Bruno thinks that with exploring, they could find him. Bruno, somehow, manages to sneak in the camp. Then, they are rushed into a chamber. ‘And despite the chaos, Bruno realised that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand in his own, and nothing in the world would persuade him to let it go.’

 

The Film is all about childhood and the manipulation of minds in Germany during World War 2. While it’s also about the holocaust. If you were to know nothing about the holocaust or World War 2 and pick up this book, you would just be as confused as Bruno was. The story is seen through the eyes of the eight-year-old, and while it may be confusing and repetitive. John Boyne does an exceptional job in writing this book, and this book will certainly stay with you for a very long time.

 

The only thing I dislike about this book, is the ending. But I have found a way to deal with that. But we must remember that millions were killed during the holocaust. Reading this book will take you on an emotional journey from beginning to end. And while you near the end, you could guess what happens. You will be screaming at them not to go through with the plan of sneaking into the camp.

 

And just like Bruno’s father’s office is out of bounds at all times and no exceptions. This book is one of the great novels. And no exception.