BR - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas By John Boyn





Pub. Date: September 2006 Publisher: Random House Children's Books 
Format: Hardcover, 224pp Age Range: Young Adult

Rating:    

"Bruno: We're not supposed to be friends, you and me. We're meant to be enemies. Did you know that? " 


My Thoughts - Bruno is nine years old and he cannot understand why they have to move from their comfortable home where he lives with his mother, father and twelve year old sister Gretel. The real reason is because his father has just been promoted to commandant and therefore they must move where there happens to be a concentration camp nearby.

Bruno's father also happens to be a Nazi.

 When they arrive, Bruno is instantly upset and homesick. He misses his friends and his previous home, worse-still no one is willing to explain why they had to move - this makes him all the more frustrated. As he continues to become more lonely he spends his time exploring and testing his curiosity.

The one event that changes everything is the day he looks out the window and spots people wearing striped pajamas. Bruno's biggest downfall or gift - you can think of it either way - is his naivety. The mere naivety of a nine year old child who is innocent of any type of stereotype. His flaw was that he saw all human beings as the same. This flaw led to the end we all know.

As his father puts more restrictions as to where he is allowed to go and not to go it only heightens his curiosity. He decides to explore further one day and comes across a boy in striped pajamas.

His name is Shmuel and he is a Jewish boy who happens to be sitting in a concentration camp against a fence whilst Bruno stands on the other side the day they meet. I'm sure it doesn't take much to guess the situation. Bruno has no idea what he is getting himself into, and that in him meeting this boy changes everything. What Shmuel and Bruno have is very touching and genuine - they are simply two young boys who have found a friend in one another. Both lonely and sad. It was horrifying to see Bruno describe the state of the young boy; remember he is the same age as Bruno yet they couldn't be more different. Shmuel is starving constantly and has no control of his life whilst Bruno lives comfortably.

Soon enough they have become best friends and Bruno comes to see him everyday. Although the story is short it impacts you greatly. We all now know the situation of the Holocaust and no matter how many times I read about it, see a documentary, or research the events I am horrified all the same. It is a warning that given the opportunity and the power what humans can be capable of.

They were regular people who went home and fed their families yet by day they burned bodies. It is a reality check and a horrible thought. John Boyne leads us into the mind of a nine year old boy and does it very well. It wasn’t long before I began to feel a fondness for both boys and felt the urge to protect them.

The ending is one that will bring tears to your eyes, I didn't see it coming and when it did come I was so terrified and shocked that I was an emotional wreck after putting it down. I was also very bitter and angry in the end towards his family and these people who obviously had the potential to love yet did such monstrous things to all those innocent people.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is written so that it is open to all readers, although it holds the obvious situation, it also touches upon how there are people as well as children out there who don't judge others and are able to see behind the fence that society at times builds. It teaches us that for there to be a change and to protect the younger generation we need to make a change.

This novel is beautifully thought out and as heartbreaking as it is, it is a lesson to us all, a one well learnt. Everyone and anyone should read this book and in time listen to Bruno's story because it's one that deserves to be heard.


   

"He looked down and did something quite out of character for him: he took hold of Shmuel's tiny hand in his and squeezed it tightly. "You're my best friend, Shmuel," he said. "My best friend for life." 

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 23:55
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