This book sat on my bookshelf for years until I saw the trailer for the movie and it piqued my interest. It is a spare book which takes place in post-war Germany and is about love, sex, reading, loss and shame and gives the reader much to think about - the Holocaust, the sexual relationship between a very young boy and a woman, how much we reveal to others in relationships, and the shame and guilt of post-war Germany. But it's not a book that begs keeping and re-reading. I will likely see the movie to watch Kate Winslet bring Hanna to life on the screen.

I was very anxious to read this book before seeing the movie. Both have such wonderful reviews. I must say, I could not put it down once I got started. The prose is very well written. Schlink has a beautiful turn of phrase. However, I must say I didn't connect to either of the main character. I suspect that is not uncommon for the female lead, Hannah, but I wanted to like the young male character. I just couldn't bring myself to. But to have a great read despite that? Impressive.

This book had such a hold on me that I finished it in one day. The author captured my heart and made me feel empathy for Hanna despite the fact of her henious crimes. I, also, felt angry that she carried a secret that killed innocent people. I cannot wait to see the movie and how Kate Winslet brings to life this wonderful literary character and how the director brought to life this now beloved book.

This novel is so entirely moving. It haunts you until the very last page. You will not be able to put this done- it is THAT amazing! Beautifully written as well.

The book was somewhat interesting in certain points of the story. There wasn't enough of Hanna's character. Hanna seemed interesting, but the author did not bring her out more. The story seemed lacking, it did not draw me in. There were too many details of Michael's mundane experiences. The mystery of Hanna, her demeanor, stature, and her view of the world was more interesting.

I thought this book was okay...not great. I haven't seen the movie, maybe I will now since I finished the book. I wanted to read it first due to all the great reviews I read about it. But I was disappointed, it wasn't that great a read as I hoped. I felt that the story kind of dragged towards the end, and left me somewhat confused.

I wish the writer could have explained more about Hanna and her feelings about being a Nazi guard. It is an interesting story, but I felt it was lacking in substance.

I hope the movie is half as good as the book. Read it before you go see the movie.

"A novel of emotional awakening that you'll never forget."
I found this a very interesting book, A small view of post war Germany from the generation conceived and born during WWII. I found this a compelling story. There is a question.. "what would you do?" I felt that was a serious question I had to ask myself throughout the book.

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Beautifully written, wish it was longer.

I did not enjoy the book as much as I thought I would. I thought the story would be more dramatic.

I saw the movie first (which I loved). The book filled in so many questions. Wonderful story--wonderful writing!

The book is a lot like the movie...though there were a lot of little details I did not get in the movie that I got from the book. The movie left me with a lot of unanswered questions....why didn't he do anything to get her out of jail? Why didn't she want people to know her disability? The movie left me with so many questions and reading this book after watching the movie helped to answer those for me. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!

I thought the beginning was a little slow, but then it got pretty good.

Engrossing. Compelling. Can a Nazi war criminal be sympathetic? In the postmodern world is there any morality - any right or wrong? This postmodern novel addresses victim and perpetrator in a psychological novel of seduction. Michael Berg is a 15 year-old German student when he falls in love with 36 year-old Hanna Schmitz. Their relationship is tender, and haunting. I found this novel a juxtaposition of victim/perpetrator, love/hate and a Germany struggling to deal with the second generation and survivors of the Holocaust.

I read this book over a few days (it was easy to put down) and while I enjoyed it, I felt guilty that I didn't enjoy it more, as it's clearly a really good book. Perhaps it just wasn't to my tastes. It's definitely unlike anything I have ever read before, but I didn't find myself getting invested in the characters or particularly caring about them. Again, perhaps it's just me. To summarize - a 15-year old German boy finds himself seduced by an older woman, and carries on an affair with her. The affair ends when she mysteriously disappears, and the boy (as an adult) attends the trial which may hold the key to why she disappeared. Meanwhile, he has a secret that could set her free, but will he share it? I can see why lots of people enjoyed this book, but I thought it was just okay.

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