The Reader

A coming of age novel, of sorts, in the time of World War 2. The last bits of it, at least. It follows the life of Michael Berg from the age of 15 into adulthood and his rather scandalous affair with a former streetcar conductor and SS guard, old enough to be his mother.

That said, this book, "The Reader" (Der Vorlesser) written by Bernhard Schlink, is simple and, if you care to look deep enough into it (or just pay attention to it), profound. There is absolutely nothing hidden in it. Straightforward sentences, no beating around the busy with the story, small chapters, with so much information.

While the undertone of the book is distinctly post-war, the essence of it deals with a boy, a teenager growing up and understanding himself. He studies the law, and reasons during a trial for crimes against humanities by women Nazi guards. The turmoil he faces when he finds that the woman he loves, or at least had an intimate physical relationship with, is being accused of murder is described quiet perfectly by the word 'numb'. The language is simple, the implications profound.
There are many moments in the book when you think one of the characters is dumb, Michael Berg or Hanna Schmitz. And then you understand why each of them reacted that way. Simple human emotions. Hanna's pride, Michael's acceptance and righteousness.
It is a short and quick read. Enough to leave in your mind a window into the lives of others, specifically, people in that particular time period. People who are just mere human beings.