The Reader- by Bernhard Schlink

I haven’t been blogging for a while. Somehow, I lacked curiosity and therefore, inspiration.

But one of these days, I’ve come across a book that drew my attention. THE READER.
Never heard of it before, never knew who Bernhard Schlink was or what he had previously published.

So, the deal sounds like that: Behind the mistery lies a truth, that will make you question everything you know!

Any guesses?

It’s all about guilt and frustration.
The plot starts uncovering the romance story of a teenager and a more grown-up woman. But love is only the frame, the layout that holds the deeper meaning and the limit of forgiveness.

The boy: is just a dreamer who gets obssesed by the misterious woman.
Hanna: is haunted by her past as a Nazi guard at Auschwitz, past that will chase her up and give her life a new direction.

If you are interested in the past, or want to know more about the implications of the Holocaust, The Reader is the book to read. It doesn’t abound in historical events but describes the difficulty of evading the past. Schlink explores the conflict between generations in post-Nazi Germany, wrestling with collective guilt and individual motivation.

The Reader was turned into a highly-acclaimed film, as well. Starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, the movie was directed by Stephen Dalry and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director.