"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas", by John Boyne

“The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is set in World War II.  It is about a nine year old boy called Bruno who has to leave his home in Berlin and move with his family to another part of Germany, where his father is needed by Hitler’s army.  At first, Bruno hates his new house: he misses sliding down the banister at his old house most but also misses his friends and grandparents.  As time goes on, he gets increasingly bored and decides to go exploring.  During his adventures, he discovers a fence and, on the other side, a boy in what he thinks are striped pyjamas.  He forms a strong friendship with the boy; but then, one day, something horrific happens to them – I won’t tell you what it was because it might spoil the ending for you!

I found this book very moving.  It introduces the reader to the minds of those one would not ordinarily meet.  It is a gripping read, conjuring up a range of emotions: it was funny when Bruno played tricks on his sister, Gretel; it was scary when he crossed to the other side of the fence; it was very sad when he and his best friend had to say goodbye.  I felt as if I was going on a journey with the characters and, as a result, I got to know them very well; when Bruno and the "boy in the striped pyjamas" met their fate, I felt as though I had lost two people who were very close to me – they seemed almost like brothers.

My favourite character is Bruno.  He comes across as a very innocent, kind, caring and sweet nine year old boy who is aware of other people’s feelings.  As he is the main character, I felt I got to know him more than the other characters; it was as if I was in his head throughout the book, being a part of his life.

 

I like the way John Boyne brings Bruno’s character to life.  Through simple descriptions, he really captures the innocence of a nine year old boy effectively; I think the following extracts illustrate this well:

“He [Bruno] made his way up the stairs slowly, holding onto the banister with one hand, and wondered whether the new house in the new place where the new job was would have as fine a banister to slide down as this one did.”

“And then the room went very dark and somehow, despite the chaos that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel’s hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let it go.”

I would definitely recommend this book to both boys and girls aged 13+.  “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” is a book which will loom in the mind for a long time; it is overwhelmingly powerful.

I hope you enjoy reading John Boyne's book as much as I did!  I give it a ***** rating.