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The Reader Audiobook
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(3.00) - 78,752 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Hailed for its coiled eroticism and the moral claims it makes upon the reader, 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, fifteen-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.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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"It's been a few years since I tackled any fictional works from the post war German era that attempt to deal with the past, but I am glad that I chose this book to take the plunge with. The premise of the novel begins with an illicit love affair between a 16 and a 36 year old, but this is seriously not the value of the book (even though I'm sure veiled eroticism is what got it listed as an Oprah book club pick). The larger themes of overcoming the past are overarching, but what struck me was how humanely Hanna (a former concentration camp guard) is portrayed. Her lifelong lie to hide her illiteracy which is the cause of her eventual prison sentence (because she would rather retain her dignity than admit that she was incapable of commiting the crimes of which she is accused) gives the reader a chance to see the human face behind a person who would normally just be labelled as a Nazi collaborator."
— Jaimie (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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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
The Reader Listener Reviews
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" Before it is gum, chicle is a tasteless sticky base. Add synthetic flavors and sugars: chicle turns to gum. I find gum disappointing. The flavor doesn't last. This book is chicle. It bored me and it had little in the way of style. Characters with no moxie. Plot isn't enough to save it from two stars. My jaw got sore for nothing. "
— Izzy, 2/18/2014 -
" Poignant and thought-provoking. I've wanted to read this since I saw the movie... Was not disappointed. "
— amee, 2/18/2014 -
" I fell in love with this book. And I don't think there will ever be a perfect word that can describe it. "
— Jawe, 2/8/2014 -
" Made me think more thank any book in a long, long time. "
— Beth, 1/20/2014 -
" I really didn't enjoy this book. I felt it barely touched the edges of what it could of gone into... Kind of pointless really. The only redeeming factor was that it was short! "
— Kim, 1/19/2014 -
" Schlink's legal background informs his clear, concise writing style, which I found to be nothing short of beautiful. I was drawn in by his ability to shed complexity on taboo sexual mores. The doubt he creates around a certain character is especially captivating. I'm not sure how I feel about the end of the book, but overall definitely worth a read. "
— Louise, 1/18/2014 -
" Wonderful insight to how Germans dealt with the aftermath of WWII. Loved this book! "
— Kera, 1/18/2014 -
" Dont bother with the movie...read the book! "
— Yuk, 1/18/2014 -
" I read this book not long after my return from Germany in 1998. I found it in the library in EN and then requested it in DE via interlibrary loan. I really enjoyed it and it turned me onto Schlink, who has become on of my favorite authors. "
— Kasandra, 1/5/2014 -
" Felt like I was listening to psychology lecture. wher was the feeling? true emotion? Perhaps I didn't get it. maybe I need to attend lecture. "
— Liz, 12/5/2013 -
" Love the way the story plays with the reader. For it is us who are the readers of Michael Berg's story. A good and fast read you will enjoy. "
— Tania, 11/24/2013 -
" Slow to start and a very serious book. The ending was surprising and I thought it was difficult to read at times. Overall I liked the story and the narrators view of things was interesting. "
— Jamie, 11/10/2013 -
" Read this, and then rented the movie for friends and family to watch. Some found it difficult, the movie of course did not do the book justice, but if you can get past the age difference, its a powerful, haunting, book. Loved it. "
— Jennifer, 7/24/2013 -
" Haunting. Beautiful. Thought provoking. "
— Deanne, 5/7/2013 -
" Thought provoking and intense! "
— Nikki, 4/29/2013 -
" I read this a second time. It reads like the wind. "
— Patricia, 4/12/2013 -
" This book has a lingering haunting effect that is a great emotional aid if you are contemplating penance. "
— Manjishtha, 2/18/2013 -
" Great book, a must read. "
— Gerri, 10/4/2012 -
" 4 1/2 stars. Very good book. "
— Miriam, 10/1/2012 -
" It was an OK book. Not a page turner or one that I would want to read again, but it was fast. Also disappointing atthe end...... "
— Rhona, 6/30/2012 -
" The Reader was written using a unique voice and wording. That might be because the author is, or seems to be, German. The story itself was good, the whole thing was from his point of view. It was a good book but i can't say it was one of my favorites. "
— Crystal, 3/20/2012 -
" An amazing book about the power of literacy. "
— Olivia, 2/25/2012 -
" Bit boring and obvious. Why do people rave about this? "
— Kate, 6/27/2011 -
" The relationship part was a little icky... "
— Megan, 6/23/2011 -
" I would give this 3.5 if I could. Was a little slow but I kept at it and was glad I finished. "
— Rebecca, 6/21/2011 -
" Actually, what I liked most in this book were translator's commentaries. I assume the same plot could be made much more exciting but for some reason I just didn't feel anything neither while reading nor after finishing the book. "
— Anna, 6/20/2011 -
" I found this book beautifully written and hearbreaking. I wanted Hanna and Michael to make different choices at so many times throughout. I think this is one I will re-read (and I don't often do that). "
— Sarah, 6/18/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this novel. At times I felt it was really fast-paced and that the author could have given the readers more to the story of Hanna because I really didn't know her that great in the novel. I love Schlinks writing though and the story line in this novel made it an enjoyable read. "
— Glendalee, 6/17/2011 -
" "A formally beautiful, disturbing and finally morally devastating novel" <br/> <br/>--> Definitely should watch the movie (: "
— Ly, 6/12/2011
About Bernhard Schlink
Bernhard Schlink is the author of the internationally best-selling novel The Reader. He is a former judge and teaches public law and legal philosophy at Humboldt University in Berlin and at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City.
About Campbell Scott
Campbell Scott has, in addition to his numerous stage and film credits, narrated more than forty audiobooks, including This Boy’s Life and Into Thin Air, and won seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.