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The Reader

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The Reader

By: Bernhard Schlink
Narrated by: Sam Peter Jackson
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About this listen

 Pre-Order THE GRANDDAUGHTER: the unforgettable story of German reunification that asks what might be found when it seems like all is lost, from the international bestselling author of THE READER, Bernhard Schlink.

***

For fifteen-year-old Michael Berg, a chance meeting with an older woman leads to far more than he ever imagined. The woman in question is Hanna, and before long they embark on a passionate, clandestine love affair which leaves Michael both euphoric and confused. For Hanna is not all she seems.

Years later, as a law student observing a trial in Germany, Michael is shocked to realize that the person in the dock is Hanna. The woman he had loved is a criminal. Much about her behaviour during the trial does not make sense. But then suddenly, and terribly, it does - Hanna is not only obliged to answer for a horrible crime, she is also desperately concealing another deep secret.©1995 Bernhard Schlink (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Crime

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Critic reviews

Deeply moving, sensitive enough to make me wince, a Holocaust novel, but light years away from the common run (Ruth Rendell)
All stars
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This is the second book I've read by the author and each has been excellent. The narrator added to the next through his performance too.

Great Story and Excellent Narrator

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I am guilty of watching the film first this was my h deeper and you can tell the author has thought deeply about the connotations of the aftermath and is very smart and well educated. I enjoyed it very much

Very thought provoking and deeper than I expected

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Told through the eyes of (what you can only imagine is Schlick himself, a lawyer and judge) who sees himself later in the book. A mature read and hyper complex for someone who didn’t grow up in Germany at the time, I find it a great insight into another world.

A brilliant insight into German psychology

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Everyone should read this. It's very deep and explores how reading itself matters so such to human interaction. Delved the German psychosis and impacts of pre and post WW2 on its citizens. The ramifications of Nazism and it's warped values. The final section is a masterpiece and worth the journey.

How the dead judge the living

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Tells a sad story, but life is sad, as we unfortunately find out as we grow old.
Well worth a listen, Kate Winslet thoroughly deserved her Oscar for her performance in the movie.

Melancholic

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Adore this book read it so many times and love the audiobook. Gripping tale, heartache and just amazing

Beautiful

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So beautifully, concisely written and deeply thought provoking. A fascinating topic which explores uncomfortable feelings with honesty.

Thought provoking

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Trying to get a refund. The recorded voice is constantly interrupted by high pitch noises and breaks. Very frustrating as this is a really good story. The translation and reader is good but I can’t listen anymore.

Recording is very poor

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