The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
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 First edition cover |
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| Author | John Boyne |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Children's novel |
| Publisher | David Fickling Books |
| Released | 5 January 2006 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 224 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-385-60940-X |
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (ISBN 0-385-60940-X) is a 2006 novel by John Boyne. This is the first Boyne book written for children.[1][2].
Unlike the months of planning Boyne had for his other books, he said that he wrote the entire first draft of Boy in two and a half days, barely sleeping until he got to the end.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
This book is a story about a nine year old boy struggling to understand what is happening around him in Auschwitz during World War II.
The main character, a nine year-old boy, is the son of a commander near Jewish concentration camps. He has a strong headed sister (the Hopeless Case). They live in a five story mansion, but are one day suddenly moved to a place called the Out-with (Auschwitz).[4] Bruno, the boy, outraged by his father's decision to move to the Out-with, and desperate to go home, spends his time in his room with no friends. He is also annoyed by the fact that they live in a three story house instead of their old five-story mansion, and with such a small space, there isn't any room for exploration (apparently a hobby of Bruno's) to be done. He also misses sliding down the banister in their old house.
In Bruno's bedroom, he spots a fence with people in striped pyjamas behind it from his window. These are the Jews, and they are in a concentration camp. One day his parents come to an agreement that both Bruno and Gretel (his sister) need a tutor for their education so they hire Herr Liszt. To Bruno, Herr Liszt is the most boring teacher one could ever have - because he teaches science (such as geography and history), instead of the arts, which Bruno prefers. So, in boredom and confusion he wonders what is going on in the Out-with and why people are always dressed in striped pyjamas there.
One afternoon he goes exploring. What he finds is a boy. The boy is called Shmuel and he is a Jew (though Bruno has no knowledge of Jews). He soon becomes Bruno's friend and Bruno goes to see him every afternoon and they talk. Bruno finds out about Jews and their striped pyjamas soon after arriving at Out-with and his sister, and becomes more educated about the Jews.
The story ends with Bruno about to leave Out-with and return to his previous home with his mother. As a final adventure, he agrees to climb under the fence to help Shmuel find his father who has gone missing in the camp. They do not find Shmuel's father, and Bruno decides it is time to go home. However, they accidentally stumble into a crowd of Jews being forced to 'march' to the gas chambers. Bruno is never heard of again.
[edit] Awards
The novel has been shortlisted for many literary awards including:
- In Ireland, shortlisted for 3 Irish Book Awards[5]: the Novel of the Year[6], the People's Choice Book of the Year, and the Children's Book of the Year[6]. It won 2 awards.
- In the UK, shortlisted for the British Book Award, Ottakar's Children's Book Prize[3][5][7], the Berkshire Book Award[5], and the Sheffield Children's Book Prize[5].
- In the UK, it is currently longlisted for the 2006 Carnegie Medal.[5]
- In Italy, shortlisted for the Paolo Ungari Literary Award.[5]
- In the USA, shortlisted for the Border's Original Voices Award.[5]
The film rights have been sold to Mark Herman.[3][7]
[edit] Book cover
The cover of the book is striped in a dull blue and white, reminiscent of the striped pyjamas of the title.[2]
Reflecting the author's view that books should be read without foreknowledge of the contents, there is no 'blurb' on the book jacket.[2][8] In fact, Boyne was angry when The Guardian spoiled the ending in their review.[2]
[edit] Appropriateness for children
When Boyne finished his first draft, he gave it to his agent, Simon Trewin, saying, "I’ve written this book, it’s very different to anything I’ve done before. I think it may be a children’s book but I think adults might like it too."[3]
Ed Wright of The Age noted that the subject matter (the Holocaust) may lead parents to "find [themselves] needing to explain the Holocaust."[1] However, Kathryn Hughes of The Guardian felt that because the book is at a slow enough pace that children can learn all about the events at that time.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Wright, Ed. "Book Review: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas", The Age, 2006-01-03. Retrieved on 2006-07-31.
- ^ a b c d Ness, Fiona. "Walking into darkness", The Sunday Business Post, 2006-02-05. Retrieved on 2006-08-11.
- ^ a b c d Interview with Children’s Author John Boyne (2006). Sarah Webb. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
- ^ a b Hughes, Kathryn. "Educating Bruno", The Guardian, 2006-01-21. Retrieved on 2006-07-31. (contains spoilers)
- ^ a b c d e f g The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas (2006). John Boyne. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
- ^ a b Irish Book Awards 2007. Kennys Irish Bookshop. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
- ^ a b Kellaway, Kate. "The stuff of nightmares", Guardian, 2006-01-08. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
- ^ The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Hardcover). Amazon.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-11.
