The Reader (Der Vorleser) is a novel by German law professor and judge Bernhard Schlink. It was published in Germany in 1995 and translated into English by Carol Brown Janeway in 1997. Schlink's book became the basis of a 2008 film adaptation directed by Stephen Daldry with Kate Winslet as Hanna Schmitz.
It was an excellent film, more concerned with the ironies of life, than with the holocaust.
The terrible irony is that if Hannah had learned to read she'd never have been lonely enough to have an affair with the 15 year old Michael. If Hannah had learned to read she'd never have been ashamed enough to leave her job with the bus depot, which resulted in her taking up a post with the Nazi SS. Her shame of illiteracy led her to accept the blame for the actions of the team of six guards, of which she was a part. The other five women, out of shame of their actions, put the blame on to her. But, perhaps, her hidden illiteracy, had made her seem autocratic and overbearing?
The young actor who played Michael (David Kross (b. 1990) was very impressive. He had such a range to convey and did it splendidly.
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