(but not to me, and I can't recall a name) Jewish scholar of the holocaust I just read a piece somewhere within the last week or so about a famous This is certainly a theme of Schlink's and one that fascinates me. Many in the war, both perpetrators of the holocaust and victims of How it impacted Hanna and her colleagues and, more abstractly, I haven't thought much about how the social structures in which theyįind themselves impacts and limits them. To be adequate sense of thing inside the created piece. Operate within it as far as it works to allow me to make what I find Where I'm willing to violate that general stricture, but I tend to Life if fairly irrelevant to his or her work. I've not read anything about Schlink, so I have no idea about theĪutobiographical possibilities. Michael wouldn't wish her death, but can easily accept it. Neither could bear being with one another. Her suicide is also best, even the only way to resolve the impossible Length, yet who continue in their relationship, I think the balance Like lovers who just can't fully be together on the exact same wave Needs in his fear of what she has the power to do to him. That's in no way passive, but it is safe and consistent with what he Of his consent to not spoil her deception. Thus it is knowing who she is that should be the ground In her life with Michael, and then again at the trial, that sheĭesperately needs her world in order to survive and have some I like the conclusion, but the not argument. Hanna is an autonomous person and as such entitled to His father's advice - the bottom line - seems quite good advice as Out her illiteracy and how much she's willing to pay for it. The most he can do is to read to her, especially when he figures Strong enough, almost terrified of the power she had exercised over himĪnd the power he feels she might. What I see is a frightened young man, perhaps frightened isn't quite If I read him correctly - I can't quite figure out his behavior at That he would be devastatedĪt 15 when it happened I can follow, but - now comes the puzzle, She was aloof even in their early intimacy. I would welcome discussion with any other readers of this novel about the philosophical questions raised by it and with which we are teased and challenged.Ī note I wrote to an internet correspondentĪs I read Michael, Schlink doesn't make clear enough why he is so One is never sure when a new wrinkle and new questions will pop up, impacting the general flow of both story and ideas presented. Schlink, who has written several prize-winning mystery stories has the ability to hold back details and keep new developments flowing into the story until the very last pages, keeping the reader a bit off kilter. We are also exposed to the whole line ofĪrguments concerning German guilt in the 1950s and 60s.įor Berg the two issues of German guilt and his love affair with Hanna are intimately and inseparably linked, furthering the notion that each question of guilt, or degree of guilt is much determined by the specific case rather than any abstract and universal principles. Along the way we are not only drawn deeply into the love affair between him and Hanna, but into the general philosophical discussion of love and particularly this love affair. The book is written in a compelling manner in which we enter into the life of narrator Michael Berg. Michael continues his relationship with Hanna in a quite strange manner in the later part of the book and the questions keep tumbling to the floor.
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