The Reader
I just recently finished reading The Reader by Bernhard Schlink as part of a book club and I have to say the prognosis is not good. Had I not been trapped in a flying sardine can for 4 hours with only one book I’m fairly certain I would not have made it past about chapter 5. I did actually finish the book and it wasn’t until almost the last chapter that I began to feel something for these characters. I’m wishing I could tell you more about it but there’s not a lot to say that won’t give away some portion of the plot.
I was surprised at how excruciatingly painful it was to read in some parts and how blah in others. The author seems to have an odd habit of changing tense of voice randomly throughout the book, this may have had more than a small bearing on my overall dissatisfaction.
It makes me wonder what all the hype has been about. I realize the topic is somewhat provacative but the story itself is more than a little disturbing. I appologize that this review is a little cryptic but I really don’t want to give away the plot.
If you’ve read it, what did you think?
Tags: book reviews, books
good reads | 
Jen | March 27, 2009
Comments
Other Links to this Post
-
Selfish Showerer — March 28, 2009 @ 3:16 am
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
By Devilish Southern Belle, March 29, 2009 @ 1:37 am
I wanted to see the movie, but haven’t yet. I think I’ll stay away from the book, though.
Devilish Southern Belles last blog post..Where would I go to file a formal complaint against Satan?
Reply
By Rebecca, March 31, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Dead on analysis, Jen! I wish I had read it before I picked it, live and learn!
Rebeccas last blog post..Twilight, the fork in the road …..
Reply
Jen Reply:
March 31st, 2009 at 6:10 pm
You know some books you just don’t know until you try. I had it marked on my to read list for quite a while and I really wanted to like it. I’m glad we all read it together, it gave me incentive to finish.
That’s what the book club is for. 
Reply