The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas cover art

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

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About this listen

Nine-year-old Bruno knows nothing of the Final Solution or the Holocaust. He is oblivious to the appalling cruelties being inflicted on the people of Europe by his country. All he knows is that he has been moved from a comfortable home in Berlin to a house in a desolate area where there is nothing to do and no one to play with. Until he meets Shmuel, a boy who lives a strange parallel existence on the other side of the adjoining wire fence and who, like the other people there, wears a uniform of striped pyjamas.

Bruno's friendship with Shmuel will take him from innocence to revelation. And in exploring what he is unwittingly a part of, he will inevitably become subsumed by the terrible process.

 20th Century Action & Adventure Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking

Critic reviews

A small wonder of a book... A particular historical moment, one that cannot be told too often
The Holocaust as a subject insists on respect, precludes criticism, prefers silence.One thing is clear: this book will not go gently into any good night
An extraordinary tale of friendship and the horrors of war...Raw literary talent at its best
A book that lingers in the mind for quite some time...A subtle, calculatedly simple and ultimately moving story
Simply written and highly memorable.There are no monstrosities on the page but the true horror is all the more potent for being implicit
Stays ahead of its readers before delivering its killer-punch final pages
Full of shocking juxtapositions and leads to a horrifying denouement ... this is a deeply affecting novel.
A very human and profoundly moving introduction to one of the darkest moments in history.
All stars
Most relevant

Would you listen to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas again? Why?

Yes. Loved the reader and characters.

What other book might you compare The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas to, and why?

Buddha in the attic and Farm and War Horse.

Which character – as performed by Michael Maloney – was your favourite?

Shmoul.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but I don't have the time.

One of the best books I have ever read.

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This is a truly stunning, heart breaking, moving and thought provoking story that I am so grateful to have had the experience of reading!

The most moving book I have ever read.

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If you haven't read or listened to this book before please do so. It isn't a book to be categorised as for children or for adults, it's an important book that carries a message for all.

Innocence destroyed.

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Incredibly moving story which is very well written and read. I would highly recommend this book.

Highly recommended

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Having read this book a while ago, I revisited it in audiobook for & was so impressed.

The book is as impressive as always but the narration is really top class, brilliantly read and bought to life.

Great story & brilliantly read

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