The Reader

By: Bernhard Schlink, Carol Janeway - translator

Narrated by: Campbell Scott

Length: 4 hrs and 16 mins

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)

Emotional

If you could sum up The Reader in three words, what would they be?

Moves your heart

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. I didn't know what to expect of the characters at the beginning of each chapter.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this book AFTER I had listened to Night by Elie Wiesel and would recommend both to everyone!

The Reader is a very good book.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and informative of the German people at the time of the Holocaust. It made me sad that the man did not find happiness because he grew older.

🤯 the ending pissed me off, it was a great read

I found myself super mad at the woman!!!
this book was well written I could visualize perfectly even place described

Dysfunctional

When I was finished this book I felt empty. I couldn't decide if I liked it or not, however, it continues to pop into my thoughts and haunt me, and that is a sure sign that the book affected me.
Being a second generation holocaust survivor from both of my parents, I was raised with the holocaust in my veins, always learning and feeling the emotion of what my parents, their families and friends went through, one horror story after the other. I never took the time to understand what the second generation German people went through, a completely different perspective.
This dysfunctional "kid" (as he is referred to in the book), who even as an adult could not come to terms with his relationship with Hannah, was full of unresolved feelings and emotion too. Hannah herself could not admit and own up to what she had done. Also dysfunctional. A very dramatic book, which more than once, sent chills through me.
I am not sure if I would recommend this book to everyone. It is different. I can't quite put my finger on why. The narrator was fine, nothing special, but not a hindrance either.
What I will say is for a 4 hour book it certainly packs a punch. Will definitely see the movie.

Excellent

One of the books you save for a re-read.

Thoughtful, if Inconclusive

There are a dozen or more lines of philosophical inquiry ranging from loyalty and love, to the individual's obligation to his or her fellow human beings, to society, and truth, to taking responsibility for one's actions or inactions both as a participant and as an observer. The problem is that the narrator of the story (not the reader, but the literary voice) comes to no real conclusions. The philosophical questions are posed, but largely unanswered. Nonetheless, it gives an understanding of how one generation's moral failings affects following generations.

Mixed feelings

I loved hearing Campbell Scott read this. The story was a bit wordy at times and predictable but also has great emotional depth. I look forward to seeing the movie.

A very difficult, but fantastic read.

this was a great listen. much like the movie. great narration. worth the money or credit. glad I purchased it to have.

Good story, good narrator

I really enjoyed this story, and the narrator was quite satisfactory. He doesn't really stand out as fantastic, but he was still very pleasant to listen to. It's really Schlink's book that is the star here. It brings up so many different complex ideas and socially relevant ideas. I generally am not a fan of contemporary novels that comment on the Holocaust and WWII because really, what can a modern author say about an event that of the magnitude that has already been written about so extensively by people who were actually there? What can you ad to the debate? But Schlinlk is really extremely successful. His book is worth reading, even after everything that has already been said. I will certainly be reading it again.

An intense well told read

A sensitive tale with depth. Well worth the read.
Regarding the preformance the book was read in a powerful and convincing voice. I usually follow the reading with a hard copy book. However this time, i just enjoyed hearing it and enjoyed hearing the book