The Reader

By: Bernhard Schlink, Carol Janeway - translator

Narrated by: Campbell Scott

Hailed for its coiled eroticism and the moral claims it makes upon the reader, this mesmerizing novel is a story of love and secrets, horror and compassion, unfolding against the haunted landscape of postwar Germany.

When he falls ill on his way home from school, fifteen-year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. In time she becomes his lover--then she inexplicably disappears. When Michael next sees her, he is a young law student, and she is on trial for a hideous crime. As he watches her refuse to defend her innocence, Michael gradually realizes that Hanna may be guarding a secret she considers more shameful than murder.©2008 Bernhard Schlink; (P)2008 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A formally beautiful, disturbing and finally morally devastating novel." --Los Angeles Times

"Moving, suggestive and ultimately hopeful. . . . [The Reader] leaps national boundaries and speaks straight to the heart." --The New York Times Book Review

"Arresting, philosophically elegant, morally complex. . . . Mr. Schlink tells his story with marvelous directness and simplicity." --The New York Times

"Haunting. . . . What Schlink does best, what makes this novel most memorable, are the small moments of highly charged eroticism." --Francine Prose, Elle

Couldn't Stop Listening

This was a great listen. I couldn't stop. I was turning the pages in my head and drawing the scenes with every word. It was great!!!

Great book

I loved this book. The way it’s written you get to understand all sides of the story.

good story, depressing

story was good and original. sad portrayal of human spirit. no redeeming characters. leaves you depressed.

The Reader

I read the book years ago and then I saw the movie but listening to the story being read was the best yet.

Heard it all in once :)

So great to know there is also an audio book. But I found the voice a bit too matter - of-factly. Maybe it was intended.