The Boy In the Striped Pajamas

In this Holocaust novel, Bruno leaves his wonderful Berlin home with his parents because of "the fury." Boyne's depiction of time and place becomes real with Michael Maloney's characterization of this displaced 9-year-old, who rapidly goes from excited confusion to indignant anger. Maloney's narrative bits are a calm counterpoint to the bewilderment of the protagonist, who finds himself at "Off With," where he is surrounded by people dressed in striped pajamas. Maloney continues to dramatize Bruno's moods as he makes friends with a young prisoner and observes the cruelty of a controlling soldier. Making Bruno real is crucial to our acceptance of his innocent horror, essential to filling in all the author doesn't say, and necessary to establishing the emotional balance we need to hear this disturbing story. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

November 13, 2006
Through the eyes of an innocent nine-year-old boy named Bruno, listeners become complicit bystanders, observing some of the horrors of the Holocaust. Maloney's soft-toned narration and chipper, believably childlike characterization of Bruno dramatically bring home the fable-like qualities of Boyne's moving text. Bruno's limited comprehension of all going on around him begs listeners, presumably with more knowledge than the protagonist, to glean the fuller story between the lines. When his father, an officer for "the Fury," as Bruno refers to him, is transferred from Berlin to a new post in Poland called "Out-With," Bruno and his family try to adjust. From his new bedroom window Bruno can see a fenced-in camp where all the inhabitants wear striped pajamas. He learns more about this intriguing place when he befriends a boy inside the camp named Shmuel (who happens to share Bruno's birthday). Their friendship progresses dangerously and brings Boyne's tale to a shocking end that is sure to be a discussion starter. A bonus interview between Boyne and his editor David Fickling is included. Ages 12-up.