The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

I haven't, but fully intend to. I read an interview with David Thewlis where he talked about the film and it sounds like a must-see. I'm also on the hunt for the book.

It isn't out here yet, and I can't find any sign that it is going to be [sob]

On a similar subject I read 'The Pianist' on saturday & would urge anyone with the same interests to do the same. I've seen the film lots of times and the book is really good.

I definitely think it should be a book that is read in schools...Anne Frank is excellent but the pianist gives the reader a much better view of the real goings on & how hard they had to live to survive.

I wasn't that impressed with the film of The Pianist - unexpectedly, because I'm hard pushed to think of a better director for it than Roman Polanski (who grew up in the Warsaw ghetto and had plenty of close calls himself), but despite brilliant moments it ultimately didn't quite work for me. On the other hand, I was absolutely blown away by Fateless. Imre Kertesz's highly autobiographical novel won him the Nobel Prize for Literature, and he worked very closely on the 2005 film version.

What's particularly thought-provoking about it is the way that Kertesz compares what his 14-year-old camp inmate is supposed to feel (first-hand witness to one of the greatest atrocities in human history) with what he actually felt (unpleasant, but more organised than his dysfunctional family life and with as many positive as negative aspects). It's certainly one of the most intelligent and unpredictable Holocaust films I've ever seen, completely undermining the usual clichés. Oh, and Daniel Craig's in it (albeit briefly).

When I first saw it, I was more than a little disturbed by the way it looked so ravishingly beautiful - almost every single shot is a masterclass in balancing light, shade and composition - and put it down to the fact that the director was a former cinematographer and couldn't resist showing off, however inappropriately. But then I read the novel and saw that Kertesz devoted just one sentence to an elderly woman dying in one of the cattle trucks transporting his protagonist to Auschwitz, but several paragraphs describing the dawn breaking over the camp on the next page - because that's exactly the kind of detail that a naive and ignorant 14-year-old would remember.

Thanks for mentioning this one - I've been meaning to get it for ages and now I've ordered - I hate being off sick and I shouldn't be allowed internet access but it's all in a good cause!

Fateless sounds very interesting, I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

Hi Ruby,

Thanks for this. I've been debating whether to bother with the film or not. I thought the book was so cleverly written, I had a real shouting out loud "Oh My God" moment when I realised where he was talking about (typically on the train). I really don't want to spoil that by seeing the film and being disappointed. I might be brave and go with a box of tissues.

x

I agree the film did not do the book justice, however I was glad I went to see it.

Oh dear, I opened this thread and thought it was going to be a question about the little boy in the Aquafresh advert. I'll get my hat...

Ruby Blue - adore the shoes in your avatar, they are fabulous!

Why thank you, you have extremely good taste ?

Sorry to disappoint re toothpaste boy! x

? How high are the heels? Are they yours? I have enough problems walking in mine and they are nowhere near the height of yours. He does make beautiful shoes! Is there a knack to walking in them that you would care to share?

They are not mine, but I have a pair which are the same heel height and mightily similar, except mine are peeptoe with the concealed platform. I love them...no tips, just wiggle your hips in a seductive manner and pray for straight pavements!

Like this!

Oh they are lovely! I need to be able to wear mine in a couple of weeks. They have been fondly dubbed my 'car to bar' shoes. I shall wiggle seductively and look a right plum when I go head over heels. It will be the first time I have worn them on a night out rather than round the house / out on the patio where I can change them if necessary.

I loved the ones which had the large asymmetrical bow on the front but I can't find a picture now.

Enjoy your shoes!

Is the film suitable for an 8 and 10 year old? I've bought the book but as of yet not read it, although my step-father has and apparently it gave him nightmares for two days afterwards. My mum is in the process of reading it and says that it's quite harrowing. Both my children saw a trailer for the film and want me to take them to see it and although I think it's important for them to know about the subject, I'm not sure if this film is the right way to approach it.

Good luck! ?

I would say no, I feel that the ending is particularly difficult to watch and I think that the details would be difficult to explain to an 8 year old. I'd probably consider the book suitable for a bright year 6 child, but not sure about the film. HTH

Thanks, thats what I thought. Will read the book before I decide whether to let my son read it (he's in year 6)

It's studied in school in Year 7 or Year 8. Personally, I'd wait until then - the kids I've taught it to have gained a lot from talking about it to their peers, in fact it's been a talking point in and out of the classroom. (I taught it to my Year 8s last year and they're still talking now, and they're not usually keen readers.)

I haven't seen the film yet, although I do want to. I love the book - I had to read the ending several times because I couldn't believe Boyne had actually let that happen!

I adore the book so won't allow myself to see thew film because in the past I've always been bitterly dissapointed by a film about a book I love.

I have just ordered the book - i meant to ages ago but forgot.

thank you for reminding me.

I've just ordered mine from play.com. Hopefully it will be here before I finish my current book. I'm really looking forward to reading it after the comments on here.

I must admit, when I saw the book advertised I thought it might be good, but then didn't realise it was a children's book which put me off slightly. After reading this thread I think I may have to go & check it out.

Its £3.99 including delivery on play.com. Thats the cheapest I found it when I looked this morning.

Even better...I'm adding it to my <muffle> christmas <muffle> list

I'm so tempted to buy for that price, but will the fact that it is published as a childrens book mean that it has been shortened, hence the cheaper price?.

Is there an 'adult' version as well then...i'm confuzzled?

As far as I know theres just the one version. I think it is a childrens book, but adults will find it very readable too? Play has different versions at different prices, but they all have the same page count (224) just different covers.

Cheers ? (did'nt think to look at the page count!). On my way to buy now.