From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

John Boyne

Discussion: Books Set in Europe

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Books Set in Europe

* European Authors
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 29 posts · 910 views

last updated May 01, 2025 06:52AM

Poland
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 31 posts · 980 views

last updated Sep 20, 2025 09:56PM

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What Members Thought

Jan 20, 2021 Colleen Chi-Girl rated it really liked it

Shelves: ww2-holocaust, historical-fiction, audiobooks, 2021

**** 1/2 on Audible

Pro’s: When the boy, Bruno, becomes less whiny and bratty, the story gets really interesting. And there is a friendship with the young boy that is extraordinary and which makes this special book so worth reading.

The narrator is really wonderful too. It is a short book and I didn’t want it to end. However, the ending took me by surprise and I loved it.

Cons: in the beginning, you have to listen to a lot of whining from 2 spoiled children, whose father has just been put in cha ...more

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Feb 15, 2011 Jayme Pendergraft rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2011, around-the-world-in-80-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 06, 2014 Linda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Heartbreakingly simply, told through the eyes of a 9-year-old German boy. Brilliantly conceived. Can't stop thinking about it. ...more

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Feb 28, 2010 Erin (NY) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, read-in-2010

This book is so sad! It is about a boy Bruno, whose father is appointed as commandant at "Out-With" by "Fury". He meets another boy Shmuel who is on the other side of the fence and wears striped pajamas. I liked the perspective of a 9-year-old boy and how naive he is about what's going on. His perspective really shows how the whole thing was so nonsensical. Anyways, definitely a wonderful quick read that I can recommend to anyone. ...more

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