BSP - discussion

I finished this book in almost one sitting and I have to admit it was very well written but I dont agree with it being a 'Fable'. The subject matter is very sad for a child, but young adult(13 onwards) makes more sense for me. Also, I think it was well done as far as perspective of a young boy goes.

1. The relationship between both siblings Bruno and Gretel seems very real and stereotypical of kids their age. in my mind, Bruno does not seem too young for 9years. Infact, if we see the timeframe of this book, it is set almost 70 years ago and times have changed. Kids are alot smarter now then they were even 30 years ago. They know aboout varied subjects, parents discuss more with them and they have the world at their fingertips thru the internet and TV. Keeping that in mind, Bruno may not be a typical 9 year old today but he must have been typical of the times. He cant pronunce certain words 'Fury' and 'Outwith' but it could be because they were not part of his everyday vocabulary. Of course, Gretel was 12, going on 13 and being a girl must have made them feel more than the 3 years apart.

2. There are many cases in India which I have seen when a man is a successful politician(Indian politics are very Dirty) and he tries to keeep his daughter out of even school politics. When I read the question about Gretel being the right age for the League of Young Girls, I wonder if her father didnt encourage her because at the back of his mind, noone else from his family should join becaus ehe knew what the internal problems may have been. Or he knew how Hard it would make you to join the league. Also there could be the practical point of being in Aushwitz that she couldnt join it. There was no one else around.

3. I think children can be perseptive, like if someone is genuinely a warm and nice person, even infants go to them willingly. Similiarly, there must have Obviously not been too many good vibes in this home what with Maria and Pavel being the domestic help. How could they have even been smiling at the children when they knew what was happeneing in the backyard. Lt. Kotler didnt even try to be nice to Bruno so there is no surprise why he made Out With seem like an unsafe place. His violent nature even oozed from his conversations with Bruno whcih probably made him feel unsafe. (Pg 76 when he tells Pavel to go to get a tyre for Bruno he says, "And afterwards, when you return to the kitchen, make sure you wash your hands before touching any food, you filthy --'.) To use such words and tone which Bruno had not heard from anyone made Bruno feel unsafe. Also he felt protective of his sister, although he found her to be a Hopeless Case, when she would flirt with Lt. Kotler. Bruno knew Pavel was a doctor but had to be a cook and waiter and he also somehow realised these were things, he couldnt discuss with his parents. All in All it would have made any child feel unsafe and cold.

Suggestions for next book

Simrit said, "Let's try to decide the next book. Has anyone read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? It's sad but anyone intrested? Another suggestion is The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I have both of these, so it's not a problem."

The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a 2005 novel by Kim Edwards. On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy; his daughter has Down's Syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse to take the infant to an institution and never to reveal the secret, then tells his wife their daughter was stillborn. Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the baby at the institution and disappears into another city to raise the child herself. What happens when secrets are revealed?

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a 2006 YA book about Bruno, a 9-year-old German boy, and Shmuel, a 9-year-old Polish boy ... and the commandant who said, "They're not people at all, Bruno" (p. 53). The author calls this a fable ... as fable it is more than a book for young adults, and it left me thinking from the viewpoint of Bruno's father, "The end of the story negates the simple beginning and dictates the appropriateness of this book for older readers."

Bonnie said, "I have read both of these excellent books, and each of them would give us a lot to discuss. I recommend them both."

OSB unavailable.. :(

Hi All,

I am having a hard time finding OSB, and I want to start reading with all of you SO BAD!! :(
It might be a bit hard for me, if we choose the books 2 weeks before we read, Amazon takes time to deliver to India! Can we try to choose next 2 months together so I can save some money (Shipping & Handling). I do get most books at the same time, but if they are not bestsellers I might have a harder time.
MArgreet did you get OSB? I know sometimes you have a hard time also.

Simrit

Sounds Great!

It sounds like a great book and as some of you know, being Canadian, I love reading 'interesting' books set in Canada. The only thing isI HOPE I Hope I hope I can get this book here in India.... I REALLY want to join all of you reading.

Also How have all of you been? I Really missed you Margreet. And Caboose and Bonnie and the whole gang. Every time I read a good book, I wish you all were with me.

Let's get started. Are we going to have a schedule?
What are the labels important for?

Let's Read!

Hi All,

Its great to be back again with all of you. I have missed ALL of you, it was so wonderful discussing not just books and our readings but so much about our personal lives on the Island and I have missed it. Bless Bonnie for getting us all together again!

As I have mentioned, I dont mind reading modern classics or new books with substance. I enjoyed many of the earlier books we had read together, so as long as we all decide together I am sure, it will be a good selection. Or like earlier, we can all suggest one book and go from there.

Update : Still living in New Delhi, India. Building a new home with my husband(If any of you remember me mentioning that earlier, its because everything takes ALOT longer in India to get done but hopefully another month or so and we should be there!) Work is busy as usual and the festival season is around the corner here in India. So , not too much new here!

Love,
Simrit