The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Read John Boyne’s powerful classic ahead of the sequel ALL THE BROKEN PLACES
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3.9 • 56 Ratings
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- £3.99
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- £3.99
Publisher Description
Discover an extraordinary tale of innocence, friendship and the horrors of war.
'Some things are just sitting there, minding their own business, waiting to be discovered. Like America. And other things are probably better off left alone'
Nine-year-old Bruno has a lot of things on his mind. Who is the 'Fury'? Why did he make them leave their nice home in Berlin to go to 'Out-With' ? And who are all the sad people in striped pyjamas on the other side of the fence? The grown-ups won't explain so Bruno decides there is only one thing for it - he will have to explore this place alone. What he discovers is a new friend. A boy with the very same birthday. A boy in striped pyjamas. But why can't they ever play together?
‘A small wonder of a book’ Guardian
BACKSTORY: Read an interview with the author JOHN BOYNE and learn all about the Second World War in Germany.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Through the eyes of an innocent nine-year-old boy named Bruno, listeners become complicit bystanders, observing some of the horrors of the Holocaust. Maloney's soft-toned narration and chipper, believably childlike characterization of Bruno dramatically bring home the fable-like qualities of Boyne's moving text. Bruno's limited comprehension of all going on around him begs listeners, presumably with more knowledge than the protagonist, to glean the fuller story between the lines. When his father, an officer for "the Fury," as Bruno refers to him, is transferred from Berlin to a new post in Poland called "Out-With," Bruno and his family try to adjust. From his new bedroom window Bruno can see a fenced-in camp where all the inhabitants wear striped pajamas. He learns more about this intriguing place when he befriends a boy inside the camp named Shmuel (who happens to share Bruno's birthday). Their friendship progresses dangerously and brings Boyne's tale to a shocking end that is sure to be a discussion starter. A bonus interview between Boyne and his editor David Fickling is included. Ages 12-up.
Customer Reviews
A wonderful book
The writing of this is beautiful for such an ugly story, in some respects. The author has captured so much innocence in such a horrific time in history.
Not a children's book
This is a book about children but it's not really a book for children. It's also trite and badly written. There are much better books for children set in the Second World War such as The Silver Sword