THE BOY IN STRIPPED PYJAMAS
Author: John Boyne
Genre: Holocaust Fiction
Published on: 5th January 2006.
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What is it about?
A young boy, Bruno and his family leave their usual life in Berlin and relocate to a countryside owing to his father, who is a member of the German Nazi. Innocently unaware of the awful activities going around, and subsequently curious, Bruno decides to explore his new countryside. The gripping narrative is from the eyes of a nine year old, which makes it so real. The story follows the events that take place in the life of Bruno.
The review
Children are not born with hatred. They are not born bound to any prejudices. Bruno is a child still having his innocence, and the way he sees the world around him is what makes this an interesting read. Take, for instance, the conversation between Bruno and his maid, Maria. Curiosity takes over him, and he asks Maria her view of what all is happening. Bruno remains firm that his father is a gentleman, and he is a good soldier. Maria agrees, stating that he helped her when her mother was illegality, by paying all the bills and offering her a job as a maid. Maria subtly adds, ‘Your father helped me a lot. He saved my life. He gave me a new life. Which makes me wonder…’ This bluntly states the nature of Bruno’s father, that he is a Nazi by heart, and who will not waste a minute in following the orders of The Fury ( Adolf Hitler; implied). But he also reassures Bruno that whatever he is doing, it is for the betterment of all.
Another chilling instant is when Bruno meets Schmuel and listens about his life before coming to Out-With (i.e Auschwitz, a pronunciation matter another piece of clever writing; the children presume it is named so because it is out with people who lived there before them). the conversation is naïve, for both of them do not knowledge what is actually happening; we, as readers, do. And it pains to see them not knowing.
Bruno and Schmuel become good friends over the year, and after an unfortunate incident, Bruno agrees he would help Schmuel with a task inside Out-with. It is here we are transported into a knowing numbness of the impending loom. you want to scream, scold both of them; ‘hey do not go! you have no idea what is going on inside. it is not a goddamn theme park, Bruno!’ But you can’t. You can’t but helplessly read the events as they unfold.
John Boyne unveils a gripping tale of friendship, innocence, and the inevitable horror surrounding the boys during the Holocaust. His writing is fluid, at times making you laugh at the naïve innocence of Bruno. Bruno does not understand phrases yet, so he takes them literally and wonders why good writers do not grow on trees, as once his father remarked. The story ends hauntingly, with the assurance of us tearfully closing the book and feeling numb.
To read or not to read?
Go for it. If you liked Diary of Anne Frank, go for it. If not, go for it anyway, for this is a story that will stay with you for a long time.
Additional reference
A movie by the same name was released in 2008, starring David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon. A highly recommended watch.
Written By RAMYA J IYER ( Instagram: @rjiyer )