The boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
This book is about a boy named Bruno who had recently moved to a house called Out-With. He claims that he hates it there and tries to convince his mother and father to move back to their city home in Berlin. He is also curious about the fence and the people he sees from his window. In this book Bruno had learned that the maid and the cook had a life before they became servants. Bruno learns about the harsh reality of the world. When he decide to go exploring, he walks along the fence and sees a boy wearing striped pajamas. The boy's name was Shmuel, and as months passed, they became friends, talking to each other while the fence separates them. During this time, Bruno learns about the Holocaust and about why the people on the other side of the fence are there. In the end Bruno had went with Shmuel, rolling under the fence, and was never seen again.
A quotation that made the book more interesting: "And then the room went very dark and somehow, despite all 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 to let him go." (Pg. 213) This happened after Bruno had rolled under the fence. Shmuel and Bruno were marching with other Jews into a dark room. After this, Bruno was not found again.
This quote made the book more interesting because in the book Bruno had stressed that he has not touched Shmuel's hand even once in their yearlong friendship. Having Bruno hold Shmuel's hand is symbolic, meaning that Bruno had changed from being an ignorant boy to someone who values friendship. In the book Bruno had gone under a character development, which had made the book even more interesting. Bruno used to not care about the rest of the world, and voiced his opinions, thinking that it was always right. He had changed and did not become ignorant again, after learning about what had happened to Shmuel.
Comments
Dear Isabelle: I am intrigued
Dear Isabelle:
I am intrigued by your post, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne" because it gives a general response to a book that I started reading but was unable to finish.
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: "Having Bruno hold Shmuel's hand is symbolic, meaning that Bruno had changed from being an ignorant boy to someone who values friendship." I think this is prominent because it explains how Bruno’s way of thinking transformed from the beginning of the book. This gives me the will to reread this book and complete it.
Another sentence that I read was: "During this time, Bruno learns about the Holocaust and about why the people on the other side of the fence are there." This stood out for me because it answers a question that was lingering in my mind in the beginning of the book.
Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because you have an appealing way of briefly describing ideas.
Thanks
Thank you for commenting it really warms my heart. This was actually a book response for school but now thanks to you I will try to improve my responses from now on. :)
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
This book is honestly my favorite. I have read it twice in the past year. Its such a great book even though its really sad. I didn't like how the ending of the book ended. Other then that it was fantastic. I really like how in the end Bruno had gone under a character development, like you said. That made the book really interesting. The whole book was really good especially when he goes under the fence and was never seen again. It makes you almost believe that the both of their friendship was so strong, that they would do anything for each other. That really grabbed my attention. Also like you said, the quote "And then the room went very dark and somehow, despite all 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 to let him go." That quote really makes you think about how their friendship was so strong and what happened after that. I really love this book. Its my favorite.
Interesting
Dear Isabelle:
I am interested by your post, "The boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne" because you brought up a very sensitive topic to many. It is nice of you to state positive things about the book and give your opinion on it. I really enjoyed the quote you included within your post.
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: " Having Bruno hold Shmuel's hand is symbolic, meaning that Bruno had changed from being an ignorant boy to someone who values friendship." I think this is intriguing because it shows have friendship can change the way see the world. Having someone there for you, talking to you, and supporting you can give you something that you never had, a new pair of eyes to see the world differently.
Another sentence that I admired was: "In the book Bruno had gone under a character development, which had made the book even more interesting." This stood out for me because this really does make the novel more interesting. This transformation in attitude changed Bruno from a selfish, self absorbed little boy, into a friendly, caring person.
Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because your explanations of novels are very interesting. You really know how to describe the characters and see changes within them over time. Reading this post really opened my eyes into seeing how change can be a positive thing as well.
Nice.
Hello Isabelle,
I am extremely intrigued by your post, “The boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne” because I have never read the book but I did watch the movie. It was interesting to know a bit about what happened differently in the book.
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: “In the book Bruno had gone under a character development, which had made the book even more interesting.” I think this is accurate because in the movie as well, Bruno hated where he lived until he met Shmuel, and he actually starting caring about their friendship. He started wondering more when he realized that his friend had no freedom.
Another sentence that I liked was: “In the end Bruno had went with Shmuel, rolling under the fence, and was never seen again.” I hate what happened in the novel, but I like how the ending of both the novel and movie remained the same because it is usually changed. I really wish Bruno was found.
Your post reminds me of when my friends and I were talking about the movie. We each were stating our opinions and what we would have done if we were in that particular situation. It was really sad and depressing to watch.
Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next because I like how you explained the detail and each thing that happened in the novel.