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The Reader  By  cover art

The Reader

By: Bernhard Schlink, Carol Janeway - translator
Narrated by: Campbell Scott
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Publisher's summary

Hailed for its coiled eroticism and the moral claims it makes upon the listener, this mesmerizing novel is a story of love and secrets, horror and compassion, unfolding against the haunted landscape of postwar Germany.

When he falls ill on his way home from school, 15-year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. In time she becomes his lover--then she inexplicably disappears. When Michael next sees her, he is a young law student, and she is on trial for a hideous crime. As he watches her refuse to defend her innocence, Michael gradually realizes that Hanna may be guarding a secret she considers more shameful than murder.

©2008 Bernhard Schlink (P)2008 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A formally beautiful, disturbing and finally morally devastating novel." ( Los Angeles Times)
"Moving, suggestive and ultimately hopeful. . . . [ The Reader] leaps national boundaries and speaks straight to the heart." ( The New York Times Book Review)
"Arresting, philosophically elegant, morally complex. . . . Mr. Schlink tells his story with marvelous directness and simplicity." ( The New York Times)
"Haunting. . . . What Schlink does best, what makes this novel most memorable, are the small moments of highly charged eroticism." ( Francine Prose, Elle)

What listeners say about The Reader

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Reader

Far better than the movie, as always.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So Hauntingly Beautiful

This is the only book I’ve ever read 3 times. Occasionally it drags for a couple minutes as the author introspects, but there are so many layers of richness to the story. I’ll read it again some day.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Theatrical reader

The way the reader read spoke so theatrical I was able to create a vivid picture in my head

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love! Incredible depth in themes

Wow - Bernard Schlick writes an incredible novel that infuriates you while makes you empathize but then forces you face very difficult themes. Absolutely worth a read. Take your time and even google some commentary along the way. So much symbolism, so much literary tidbits neatly tucked inside. This is for book lovers!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Provoking Saga

I truly enjoyed this book, and I think what was most enjoyable was the emotions it produced. Of course, it was undeniably wrong and disgusting the relationship these two characters had. I think this novel will stay will me for a while

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

WONDERFUL

I was eager to listen/read this after seeing an interview with kate winslet. She spoke of the book with such high praise. I was intrigued by the characters and held in suspense until the very end.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Intriguing and controversial

I really enjoyed the story and the characters came to life because of the fine writing of Bernhard Schlink.

A very realistic and emotional story, and just the perfect length. Excellent plot.

Very anxious to listen to his other books.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

G?nial!!!!!!!!

C'est mon premier audiobook et il g?nial.
La notion de culpabilit? partag?e et personne y est tr?s bien d?velopp?e.
C'est livre qui vous touche.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

a fascinating study...

...in collective guilt. This story will keep me thinking for days and days. The use of a pedophilic 'love' story as the backdrop for a study of Germany's collective guilt over the holocaust is, if not appropriate, then at least congruous. Although you never come to sympathize with the characters, exactly, you do feel the deep tragedy that their lives become.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Suspenseful, sexy and thoroughly engrossing!

What made the experience of listening to The Reader the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the reader's voice and I felt he had engrossed himself in the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but I had to split it up into sessions.

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1 person found this helpful