Remembering historical happenings through books and movies are the values of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
World War II and the events of the Holocaust are interesting enough to read about from the perspective of an adult; but to experience it firsthand as a child must have been astonishing and devastating.
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a fabulous book and surprisingly, an even better movie. The story is about two children's separate experiences during WWII and the events of the Holocaust, leading up to the concentration camps.
The author of the book is Irish writer John Boyne. Boyne published this book in 2006; shortly after publication it won numerous awards around the world.
He makes this book a short read, but each and every word kept me on the edge of my seat. The genre is young adult realistic fiction. The language and word choice is very understandable; the book is told from the perspective of the protagonist, Bruno.
Bruno is a naïve boy who has no idea what or why he and his family move to this lonely, unforeseen place in Poland; deserted from the world, except for the people he can see from his bedroom window. Questions fly through Bruno's mind. What happens in this place? Why are there so many people on the other side of the fence?
The movie is an adventure of a military family, it is a must see film. This Miramax Film was directed by Mark Herman and some of the key actors included: Asa Butterfield as Bruno, Jack Scanion as Shmuel, Amber Beattie played Gretel, the sister of Bruno, David Thewlis as Bruno's father and the commandant, Vera Farmiga as Bruno's mother. The movie was filmed in Hungary.
According to the official website of this book and movie it states, "…a fable intended to provide a unique perspective on the effects of prejudice, hatred and violence on innocent people, particularly children, during wartime." Also, when filming this illuminating story the production team and Boyne worked together, "…every attempt to explore the dark heart of the Nazi era in the effort to enlighten new generations so that they neither forget nor repeat what happened is not only valid but also necessary" the website also states. The combination of the storyline from the book and the film provide a historical fiction tale.
When I was first introduced to this story of "The boy in the Striped Pajamas" I had no idea what it was about; I didn't even know it was a book as well. Watching the movie I paid more attention to the details and events of the movie than most movies, I kept wanting more and more to happen. Watching the movie through the children's eyes was the best part because being somewhat naïve to the idea of Germans verses Jewish lifestyles differs quite a bit, especially from the lifestyle I live as an American.
Then I began to read the book and couldn't put it down; what does that tell you?
In brief, this story summarized of both the movie and the book is about two boys. Bruno is the son of a German officer in Hitler's armed forces. The other boy, Shmuel is a Jewish captive living in a concentration camp.
When Bruno moves to this new home in Poland because his father became the Nazi Commandant for the nearby concentration camp; Bruno, like any eight-year-old boy decides to go exploring. Behind the family's new house, was a wooded forest, to which led to the concentration camp. That is where Bruno found his new friend, Shmuel, a little Jewish boy about Bruno's age. Bruno and Shmuel befriended each other, although there was a fence that separated them; they would play ball, cards, and checkers through the fence; Bruno constantly would bring delicious food to Shmuel.
Do Bruno and Shmuel ever get caught spending time together? What happens when Bruno wants to see the adventure on the other side of the fence?
After another one of the boys meetings at the fence, they decided on an adventure for the following day. "Both boys went home in high spirits that afternoon. Bruno imagined a great adventure ahead and finally an opportunity to see what was really on the other side of the fence before he went back to Berlin—not to mention getting a little serious exploration as well—and Shmeul saw a chance to get someone to help him in the search for his papa. All in all, it seemed like a very sensible plan and a good way to say goodbye" the book said on page 199.
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a story of hardships and friendships, it's brilliant and breathtaking. Whether you decide to consume yourself in the novel or watch the awe-inspiring movie, it is a worthwhile tale and an ending you would never imagine! This masterpiece is worth your time to read and watch.
So, go check out a copy at the library, or head to a movie store near you and let your
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