Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The

The boy in the stripped pajamas by John Boyne is an innocent yet haunting take on the tragic events of history in Nazi Germany. Innocent as the author tells the story through the eyes of two young boys - Bruno and Shmuel - which makes the story of the time feel more heartbreaking. Set against the backdrop of holocaust the story revolves around the friendship of two boys - Bruno and the boy on the other side of the fence. Both of them become friends overtime but Bruno is unaware of what goes on the other side of the fence, who are all those people in the stripped pajamas? He wants to go to the other side and play with his friend but is not allowed to do so. He somehow reaches there and what happens at the end is heart-wrenching. The theme of the book talks about friendship, compassion and humanity the young hearts carry around through tough times. The writing style is innocent and childlike, which matches the perspective of the young protagonist Bruno. For example - the way he mispronounces "Auschwitz" as "Out-With" and the "Führer" as "The fury" highlights how little he knows about the world around him. One of the most powerful parts of the book is how it shows the difference in maturity between Bruno and Shmuel, despite them being the same age. Bruno, who comes from a comfortable and privileged background, thinks like a typical nine-year-old full of curiosity, questions and confusions. There are moments where he complains about his life, feeling bored or lonely after moving to the new house, completely unaware of how fortunate he actually is. In contrast, Shmuel has lived through cruelty that no child should experience. This has forced him to mature and grow far too early. He never questions anything because he knows his questions cannot be answered or there are no answers because the life he is living right now is his reality. This is why he never really fully answers Bruno questions and explains how life is like on the other side of the fence because some things can only be understood when you experience them - a tragic truth Bruno comes to know too late. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone as it offers a deep glimpse of cruelty and unimaginable suffering faced by the Jews and the other communities at the hands of the so-called world leaders. There is something profoundly moving about telling a story of dark times through the lens of children. Their innocent and pure hearts makes you realize that it was never difficult to choose and spread love and empathy over hatred and cruelty. The boy in the stripped pajamas is not just a story - it is a reminder of the dreadful past, of human choices to be evil and of the cost of silence. It's a kind of book that urges you to want to know more about the Nazi Germany, the holocaust, the world war II and the other countless untold stories of that era.

A Haunting Tale of Innocence and Ignorance: A Review of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" John Boyne's "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a poignant and thought-provoking story set against the backdrop of the Holocaust. The novel's narrative revolves around two young boys, Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandant, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in the concentration camp adjacent to their home. Their unlikely friendship, born out of innocence and curiosity, serves as a powerful counterpoint to the horrors of the war that surrounds them. Bruno, a curious and imaginative boy of nine, is uprooted from his comfortable life in Berlin when his father is promoted to commandant of a concentration camp. Reluctantly moving to the desolate countryside, Bruno finds himself isolated and bored, yearning for companionship. One day, while exploring the perimeter of the camp, he stumbles upon a young boy clad in striped pajamas, Shmuel, a prisoner on the other side of the fence. Despite their vastly different worlds, Bruno and Shmuel develop an unlikely friendship. They meet regularly under the fence, sharing stories, food, and dreams. Their bond deepens as they navigate the complexities of their circumstances, their innocence shielding them from the full grasp of the atrocities unfolding around them. Boyne masterfully captures the innocence and vulnerability of childhood through Bruno's perspective. Bruno, oblivious to the true nature of his father's work, sees the camp as a strange and mysterious place, unaware of the suffering and persecution that lie within its walls. His naivety highlights the absurdity and cruelty of the Nazi regime, emphasizing the devastating impact of war on the minds of children. Shmuel, on the other hand, bears the weight of the world's horrors. His experiences in the camp have stripped him of his childhood, leaving him with a profound understanding of loss and suffering. Yet, amidst the despair, he finds solace in his friendship with Bruno, a reminder of the humanity that still exists amidst the darkness. As their friendship deepens, Bruno's innocence gradually crumbles. He witnesses the brutality of the camp guards and the despair of the prisoners, slowly piecing together the truth about his father's role in the atrocities. The realization shatters his world, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of the world he has been shielded from. The novel's climax is both heartbreaking and thought-provoking. Bruno's innocent act of kindness leads to a tragic end, highlighting the devastating consequences of prejudice and ignorance. The final scene leaves a lasting impact, a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of empathy and understanding. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a powerful and moving tale that resonates deeply with readers of all ages. Its exploration of innocence, friendship, and the horrors of war serves as a poignant reminder of the human capacity for both compassion and cruelty. The novel's enduring legacy lies in its ability to challenge our perspectives and inspire us to confront the darkness of the world with a glimmer of hope.

The story begins when Bruno, a nine-year old boy, comes home from school one day to find his mother and the servents packing all their things, preparing for relocating to a place away from Berlin(where they currently live). His Father's promotion to the job of 'Commandent' in the Army requires them to move to an isolated house called 'Out-with'. Bruno is unhappy with this unwelcome event as he has to leave behind the bustling city of Berlin, their five-storey mansion, his three best friends for life and his grandparents. His older sister Gretel, who is anyway a Hopeless Case(as all older sisters are supposed to be) is also of no help. Adding to his misery, this new place feels very strange to him, having no other houses apart from his, military men always coming in and out of his house, a fence in front of the house which stretches as far as the eye can see and people beyond the fence wearing striped pyjamas. With nothing to do and no one to play with, Bruno (being the explorer that he always wanted to be) sets out on his exploration determined to find something interesting in this lonely place. And he indeed is successful. He meets 'the boy in the striped pyjamas', named Shmuel who lives on the other side of the fence. Having nothing in common apart from their birthdays, these boys develop a deep bond of friendship untouched by the malices and hatred of the world around them, also oblivious to the devestating result of this innocent friendship. My thoughts on the book: Before sharing my feelings about this book, I would like you to acknowledge the fact that I am a little less aware of the reality of Holocaust and World War II and have read this book purely as a form of fiction. I know that this book has been criticized by many for trivializing the tragedies of people at concentration camps and the Holocaust and I respect everyone's opinion with all my heart. But ultimately it is for the individual reader to decide what they make of this book. For me it was a good quick read. I got glued to the book from the very first line itself. I liked reading the book from the child's perspective and the fact that the author never forgot this was awesome. The writing style was engaging, the lines that were repeated several times and the missing details in fact, added to the beauty of it. It is innocent, it is tragic, it is cruel, it is heart-breaking...all woven together. So for me it is 4/5 stars and I would definitely recommend everyone to read it.

Book is so good and don't forget to watch the movie it is also nice

4.5 Stars. Some people find it difficult to express innocence in a world full of brutality; Whereas some find it easier to express sobriety in ways that are moving in ways never fully acknowledged enough. Reading through this book made me realize that sometimes, all we need to know is simplified exuberance. Set in Nazi Germany during World War 2, This story is gravitating. The story revolves and surrounds various characters, but the ones who truly grab you by your heart's strings are Bruno and Shmuel. When the times were hard and the air is filled with tension all around the world, The simple tale of a boy and his unusual friend will make you pick up where you left off and go on & on. Now to more pressing matters at hand - How did I find this book? To me, the book is plain and simple a reading slump therapeutic book. Although there is both good and bad revolving in this book when it comes to reviews from veterans, I found that overlooking certain facts in this fictionary depiction is more of a viable option. The Good:- The book holds an aura where you may find yourself reading a children's book, where everything is super simplified and easy to read, and totally understandable. No one can say this book is totally fact or just an art of fiction. Easy-go words and a smooth recollection of events to and fro from the regular fiction books. Since I'm a fan of historical fiction books, I found it pretty much a lovely read, to be honest. But now to more... The Bad:- Truth be told, I'm not a historian, but some facts written in this book were outwardly out of context. The survivors of the holocaust may vouch for me on it. John Boyne has put out a really good book that I think anyone should pick up and give it a read. I highly recommend this book to any first-time reader, although skimming through some pages might be a good option. If you are a non-reader, going through this book might be a good start for you.

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? Why do we have to leave Berlin? Why is Out With called so? Why is there a fence? Why are everyone on the other side of the fence in striped pyjamas? Why do the opposite of Jews hate Jews? These are some of the questions Bruno, the nine-year old protagonist of the novel, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas ask. Bruno is forced to leave his home in Berlin, and all he knows is that it's because his father has an "important" job. He immediately dislikes the grim Out With, his new home. There are no houses nearby, no boys to play with, and his house is surrounded by vastness. As he looks out from his window, all he sees is a huge fence, beyond which are people of all ages,wearing striped pyjamas, being ordered about by unkind soldiers. He has a million questions in his mind, but very few that he asks out loud and even fewer satisfactory answers. A wannabe explorer, he sets out one day on one of his adventures. That's when he meets a boy from the other side of the fence, a boy with his same birthday, and their friendship blooms. The story moves forward through incidents in Bruno's life, especially those concerning his new friend. The author of the book, John Boyne has done an extremely wonderful job in retelling one of the darkest times in European history, through an innocent boy, who knows nothing of the war. His writing style will have the reader glued to the story from the very first page. I loved this book to the core. I had heard lots about this book and hence, when I finally got a chance to read it, my expectations were quite high. I can honestly admit that all my expectations were indeed met. What I loved the most about this book is its simplicity and the portrayal of Bruno. I will recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a light read.

"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" by John Boyne is a poignant and haunting tale set during World War II. The story follows eight-year-old Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, who moves to a house near a concentration camp. Through his innocent eyes, Bruno befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in the camp. Boyne's narrative masterfully contrasts the innocence of childhood with the horrors of the Holocaust, highlighting the devastating impact of hatred and discrimination. The novel's powerful themes of friendship, innocence, and the tragic consequences of blind obedience make "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.

This is a heartbreaking story of the nine years old Bruno and his friend Shmuel. It is set during the horrors of Holocaust. Bruno is the son of a Nazi commandant and Shmuel, a Jewish prisoner in the infamous Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp. Bruno moves to Auschwitz with his family from Berlin because of his father's duty towards his country and people as he was told and was quite bored in the small shabby and old house in Auschwitz. He loved exploring new things and so he ends up meeting Shmuel during one of his explorations. He wanted to play with him but wasn't able to as both of them were separated by a high barbed wire fence. In the end however, both of them die holding each other's hand in the gas chamber. **Spoiler Ahead** Okay so frankly I don't know from where to start. 1. It seems quite fake that Bruno didn't know what was going on at all. If you will read war accounts, you will know that the hatred for Jewish people was in children as well. They also took part in insulting the Jewish. Bruno seems too much innocent for his age. He was too much curious and it doesn't appears to be right that a nine year old boy who is the son of a German commandant doesn't know anything. 2. When he starts observing these people in striped pajamas, he can see that they were most probably lined up and then they fall upon each other which definitely means shooting. He can also make it out that the soldiers were shouting at these people but why can't he make out that the German soldiers were actually killing these people by shooting. He doesn't seems to hear the gun shots in the earlier stages. May be too much innocent. Fine. 3. He was all the way mispronouncing things. Even after being corrected many number of times he used call Auschwitz as Out-With and The Führer as the fury, while being a German himself. 4. I have read many reviews saying that the existence of Shmuel isn't possible at all. Sorry but I have to disagree here. It is true that children who seem to be misfit for working on labour camps were immediately sent to gas chambers upon arriving to the camps. But we should also remember the fact that many number of children were selected by German doctors like Josef Mengele to conduct experiments and so were kept alive, especially twins. It may be the case with Shmuel also. It was never hinted in the text but yes that can be a possibility. That is why when concentration camps were liberated, children were also there as survivors. Historically speaking Mengele was working in Auschwitz during 1942. And this book is also set during those times. 5. The meeting of Shmuel and Bruno is totally impossible considering the fact that Shmuel was a prisoner and he didn't have the freedom of roaming across the concentration camp and sitting near the barbed wire for hours talking with Bruno. It felt totally absurd. 6. What strikes me so hard is the climax of this book. Those high barbed wires were not just for decoration and people can't actually slip in and out of it. You need to understand that they were electrified and there were danger signs all over in real concentration camps. 7. When Shmuel was accused of stealing, he would have been shot in real but here he just continues his routine of meeting Bruno afterwards. 8. Frankly speaking I was expecting the theme of friendship here but didn't quite get it. Bruno didn't know anything about what was happening on the other side and he decides to help his friend but once he starts feeling uncomfortable, he starts thinking about going back to his home leaving Shmuel alone. 9. I also didn't find anything regarding the torture which Jews and other prisoners faced in concentration camps. Even not much through Bruno's eyes when he was inside the camp. So basically the theme is not about the horrors of a concentration camp or about the friendship between these two boys but this story is about an idiot boy who is too much curious but knows nothing and ends up dying ultimately. It is upsetting to read it because of the deaths of these two boys and it breaks my heart but I can't ignore how this book trivializes the horrors of Holocaust by giving the prisoners scope of roaming around and many other things as well. I recommend you to read this book only because it is emotional and not because it is about Holocaust. It is not. Ratings: 3.5/5