I just finished this book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is about a 15 year old boy who had an affair with a woman in her mid-30's. Later, years after the affair ended, he runs across her again while he is a law student. He is observing a trial for which she is the defendant charged with Nazi war crimes. The book brings up a lot of ethical questions - not just about the affair, but about the crimes for which she is accused. It would be a great book club read. Wish I had read it that way, as I'd love to have someone to discuss it with. I think it would be a good book to read in tandem with Lolita for a book club and then discuss the comparisons of the affiar the boy has with the woman and the obsession Humbert has with Lolita. The ending was a surprise to me!

Couldn't put this one down. Read it in one day. I was totally thrown for what she was in court for, and what her secrete was, though I did figure it out before it was written in the book. Great read, but definately a sad tale.

I thought that this book was awful. It was written in a way to keep you reading, making it a quick read, but I was just so bored with the whole thing. The "big twist" is so predictable, I knew it within the first two chapters. I read the whole thing through just hoping that there was some other twist. A waste of time. I hated it. Don't believe the hype. But then again, that's just my opinion.

A quick read that was very well written. You develop a relationship with the charecters. It starts off with some fairly blatent erotic parts, but develops into a fully story. I'd recommend it.

Shocking relationship, shocking turn of events. Very captivating. Simple and compelling. Makes one think. Recommend if you can deal with descriptions of intimacy.

I LOVED this book, couldn't put it down. One of the best books I have read in a long, long time. A short read, but very fulfilling. The writing is excellent and so insightful. This book reminded me that there is always more than one way to look at a situation and that things are not always what they seem (don't be quick to judge). I thought about the book long after I finished reading it.

What a disappointing book. It def. did not live up to its hype. I guess you were supposed to be shocked by the weakness of someone who appeared so strong but isn't that the way things always are? The only reason this book got published is because the main character has the shock value of being a guard in a Nazi prison camp. Other then that, nothing stood out about either character or helped you feel connected to them. Overall, I was so glad when this book ended and i could move on.

I read this book because I am a big Kate Winslet fan and wanted to read the novel for the new movie she is in. I can see how this book is going to translate well to film. Mostly because this book does not give a lot of descriptions to things that are going on save for a few elemental things that the narrator held on to from his youth so when it's translated to film you don't loose a lot of that details that books tend to loose. I found it a very easy read but it didn't captivate me like I hoped it would.

I thought this book was so boring! I read the whole thing hoping it would get better! No Luck!

I thought this book was all right. The "big secret" wasn't a surprise to me at all, it was obvious near the beginning of the book. The ending was predictable as well. Not that I disliked the book, I did like it. It was just a much more easy fast read than I was expecting. But hey, we all need an easy fast read sometime, don't we?

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A small story told in vivid detail - which becomes a little larger as time goes on. Engaging, heartfelt. One of the best books I've read this year.

Easy and fast read and the author describes a lot of the situations in detail but it makes you understand the emotion between the characters.

I thought this was an ok book. It was a quick read (I read it in one sitting) but at the same time it was a little boring and mundane. It is a "small" story--not many characters to keep track of, not much action going on, etc. I am glad that I read it though and I am looking forward to seeing the movie--I bet Kate Winslet did a wonderful job playing Hanna.

This book was beautifully written and, even though a sad story, I found it very easy to read.

Again, just wanted to read the book before I watched the movie. I liked the idea of the story, but honestly thought it was a tough read. I had to force myself to finish it.

Well Done. Disturbing book about horrific times.

The book was a very quick read. The chapters are very short, and the story captures the reader's interest right away. The story is set in Post Nazi Germany which was very interesting. The characters are distinct and you find yourself wondering what you would do if you were in a similar situation.

Overall I liked it, got a little lost & bored during the trial...wanted more detail of her time at the Nazi camp. she was a sympathetic character I thought, but the "big reveal" about her was no surprise, I figured it out very early on. Was over exagerrated by all the hype. Still will probably see the movie, love Kate Winslet.

Could not put this one down! Read it on one day. Easy to read. Interesting moral issues. Very good book.

Amazing book for me. I read this book many years ago and felt so saddened by the tragedy of circumstances and situations all through this book. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I doubt it can be as good as the book.

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