The Reader

The Reader was my 1990s read for the Goodreads / Bookcrossing Decade Challenge. I saw the film version of The Reader at our then-local art house cinema when it came out and remembered the main revelation that would be made during the story. However, I found that this actually increased the poignancy of the earlier writing as I could completely understand some of the layers of meaning. I think the film did follow the book closely.

The Reader starts with a fifteen year old boy recovering from a long serious illness and emerging from his isolation to meet and become the lover of a older woman. The relationship is delicately portrayed and I liked the creation of each character, even though I never actually came to like either Michael or Hanna as people. I felt as though I was always kept at arm's length though did become fully immersed in their story despite this distancing.

Having witnessed their relationship, we then re-meet Hanna a few years later. Michael is studying law and Hanna is a defendant in a trial he observes. His attempts to analyse his reaction to her both as a past lover and as a war criminal are interesting, as is Schlink's discussion of the culpability of the whole German nation immediately post-war. This is a very thoughtful book, an approach which sometimes overwhelms the central story at its heart, but for good reason. Hanna's simplicity during her trial - what should I have done? - poses a fascinating dilemma to the eponymous Reader as he listens to proceedings, and also to the readers of the novel itself.

I didn't feel that the ending fit the character, the themes, or the text. It was not in keeping with the strength of the character or the themes of dignity, perseverance or some conception of love. The only apprehension of the ending that I had was because it is a known phenomena and cliche at this point. If the main character was anymore passive there would be no story. Even the only two actions he takes are half-assed.

There is some analogy between the two main characters and the two generation of Germans - during and post WWII. The end is not the solution for the generational conflict. That's a too too easy way out.

I read this despite it being on Oprah's book club because it was recommended to me by Amazon given my recent interest in German lit. This is not Hesse or Mann. It is an over sentimental, easy read about sex, racism, and someone else's conception of justice.