The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is essentially a children's book, dealing with adult themes.

I picked it up in a bookstore, and all that was on the front cover, was stripes. I didn't have a clue what it was about. I feel quite fortunate about that, as I had a different experience to those who may have seen alternative book jackets, or the recent film that came out.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is so well told, as the story starts to unfold. Told from the perspective of a young child who doesn't quite understand their environment, or what is happening...their descriptions are innocent, and that is where the tragic charm this book delivers starts. I read it one sitting, on a flight across the atlantic. When I finished, I felt that I had read something profound and important, and I just wanted to hug someone.

I hope you find my Boy in the Striped Pyjamas book review helpful...in the never-ending quest for the next book to read (you'll also find links to buy the book, to help make your life easier).

Photo credit: Amazon.com

I found The Boy in the Striped Pajamas very accessible, and so very tenderly written by John Boyne - writer of such books as The Thief of Time and Next of Kin. Notably, his work has also been translated into seventeen languages! I feel bad classifying The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas as a children's book - as I was reading, I began to feel that its themes were perhaps more provocative for adults, I'm not sure if young minds could fully appreciate the profundity of what happens - I suppose that's half of its charm.

I'm not planning on giving anything away, so all I'm going to say about what The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is about, is this... The book is told from the perspective of Bruno, a 9 year old boy. He has to move home, once he is settled, he meets a boy, coinidentally the same age as well as the same birthday as him. It's like they could have been twins. In their life, they share a fence. That's all I'm saying.

When I started reading the Boy in the Striped Pajamas, I wouldn't say I was totally captivated. It was interesting, so I didn't stop - but suddenly as I got towards the end of the book, the plot raced towards me like a bullet train, making my heart race and emotions turn. Again, I hate to describe this book as a children's book - it's so much more than that. Elements of the book shocked me, the ending of the book moved me.

It wouldn't surprise me if this book gets taken on as a set text in schools. As a comparison to other texts and books set around the same time, it stands up significantly. Be sure to check out the other recommendations to go with this book, along the right hand side of this page.

I really hope this book becomes a true classic of young literature, it certainly deserves to be. It would be a tragedy if this book remained on bookshelves, forgotten and faded into the distance. I'm so happy I've had the privilege to read this book.