The Boy at the Top of the Mountain

By: John Boyne

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne, the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, is another extraordinary historical fiction about World War II and innocence in the face of evil.

When Pierrot becomes an orphan, he must leave his home in Paris for a new life with his aunt Beatrix, a servant in a wealthy Austrian household. But this is no ordinary time, for it is 1935 and the Second World War is fast approaching; and this is no ordinary house, for this is the Berghof, the home of Adolf Hitler.

Pierrot is quickly taken under Hitler's wing and thrown into an increasingly dangerous new world: a world of terror, secrets, and betrayal from which he may never be able to escape.

This title has Common Core connections.

"Boyne’s (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, 2006) story is unarguably a powerful one with an often visceral impact."—Booklist

A compelling account of the attractions of power, the malleability of youth and the terrible pain of a life filled with regret."—The Guardian

©2016 John Boyne (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"With skill and emotional detachment, Boyne tells Pieter’s story through descriptions and dialogue that are concise, spare, and vivid.... Pieter’s traumatic childhood, infatuation and interactions with Hitler, adolescent angst, and destructive choices will captivate teens and prompt thought-provoking discussion."—School Library Journal, starred review

"John Boyne delivers a poignant tale of innocence ruined by Nazism. This is a story full of suspense and heartbreak that will leave readers wanting more. Compare this book to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas."—School Library Connection

Fictionalized Hitler History Still Fascinates

Boyne is a wonderful storyteller and his historical fiction often gets it right, but he sometimes takes liberties with facts to advance the plot.

For example, he has the notorious filmmaker Leni Reifenstahl ("Triumph of the Will") at a Berghof birthday party getting interviews from top Nazis and shooting b-roll in the early 1940s. By all accounts, Reifenstahl did not visit the Berghof until 1944 with her husband. It was, in fact Hitler's mistress Eva Braun who shot "home movies" at the Berghof. And while we're on the subject of Braun, Boyne has her in the backseat of a car with Hitler and the protagonist for a visit to town, with the latter later describing Braun as Hitler's "intimate friend" to one of his friends. Braun's relationship with Hitler was a carefully guarded secret. Braun rarely accompanied Hitler in public, and only then was in the background. Great lengths were taken to hide her from the genera public. Hitler wanted to be portrayed as putting The Reich first, above all else, including romantic relationships. After Braun died in the bunker with Hitler, most Germans were surprised she existed.

The author also has the protagonist, a child, doing important (highly sensitive) note-taking at meetings. Hitler always had three secretaries on staff. One of these trusted staffers could surely have been asked to take notes (e.g., Trudl Junge who took down Hitler's will).

Boyne also omits historical characters who played an integral part in the Berghof's creation and daily life, notably Martin Bormann (Hitler's private secretary) who was in charge of construction of the estate and surrounding areas. Bormann was a loyal thug and often at odds with the Berghof household staff.

All this being said, Boyne's choices to change a few things will only be a sticking point with scholars - and even scholar's (and nerds like me) will have to admit that the author's liberties would be invisible to the average reader.

Excellent story

I love this story. The reaction to war and authoritarian control and its aftermath is very poignant and real

Wonderful story about a difficult subject. I am very impressed with Joh Boyne’s mind and creativity.

Mr. Boyne has a wonderful way of capturing my imagination as I read/listen to his well written stories! I’ve already begun looking for the next book. I like the way he continues characters, themes and places in his books, it’s like being on the "inside” of an elite group. I enjoy the narration and the use of accents.