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China, Beijing
1 Level
725 Review
41 Karma

Review on πŸ‘• John Boyne Boys' Striped Pajamas for Boys' Clothing by Chris Meckler

Revainrating 1 out of 5

Ridiculous and insulting act

Plot (spoilers): A boy who lives near the death camp (his father is the camp commandant) becomes friends with a Jewish boy who lives in the death camp. He regularly and openly visits his new Jewish friend through the barbed wire (as if the guards would allow it) and at one point gets confused by his friend's thinness, but never realizes that terrible things are happening. The Jewish boy says nothing to correct his friend's stupidity, but makes vague remarks about his dire situation. The fool ends up sneaking into the camp because he's jealous that his Jewish friend has more people to play with. He dons someone else's "striped pajamas" to fit in and nonchalantly slips into the gas chamber line. Ignorant to the end. It's shockingly offensive to suggest that anyone (including children) could wander into a Nazi death camp and think they were lining up to have fun.

Pros
  • Excellent book! Never read this perspective on the Holocaust
Cons
  • Gives a false impression of life during the Holocaust