Hi all! I’m back with another blog. I’ve trying new writing routine, let’s see how it works out. If this routine proves successful I’ll surely write a blog about it. So this blog is about one of the cutest book I’ve read in this year so far. ‘The boy in the striped pajamas’ is such a touchy book, no words will ever make justice to the innocent vibe that this book creates. It’s a young adult or juvenile book, and it certainly is a must read for every kid around 10-15. I’m much more older than that but I fell in love with this book. I loved every character detailing. If only I could meet those little kiddos I would hug them tight.

The book tells us a story from the nazi times, around Second World War. It is a story of Germany, from the times when nazi was getting stronger by the day. Everything was changing day by day and children were confused about why their world is going upside down. The story is centered around an eight year old boy, named Bruno. The most beautiful thing is it’s written with a view point of an eight year old. And not today’s eight year old who dresses up and pouts and posts selfies on Snapchat, it’s written with a true innocent eight year old boy, who cares about play time and making friends more than anything. This boy is unaware of things going on around him, about the horrible things happening next to him and actual war situations building up. To his little boy mind, these things don’t even touch. He was still teasing his sister, still throwing tantrums when they all were to shift in a new house, and still was looking for more mischievous activities to do. His father was an honorary figure in nazi community, hitler himself visited them once. But Bruno doesn’t get how huge it is, what a blessing was this in those times, to be safe when people were being slaughtered.

When they move to the new house, he denies to accept it. Just a typical young boy thing, captured to the minute details. He goes on days after days comparing the two houses, finding flaws, and just being a fussy little man. There’s a camp of people close to their new house. Which actually is a bunch of Jews, captured and crammed together, to be killed eventually. Bruno’s father was deployed to manage this place. But to Bruno’s eyes that camp looked like a bunch of slightly poor people living together. He even felt jealous about the number of kids there, because he had no one to play with on this side. There are so many such moments throughout the book that reflects how pure yet oblivious Bruno is. He watched those people through his bedroom and one day decides to go and visit them. He realizes being separated by fence. He walks about that fence separating the two world, and finds another eight year old boy in the other side. Days pass, they talk about anything and everything that little boys could, they share their worries and good memories, and unknowingly they develop a beautiful friendship across that fence. They hold hand, Bruno carries snacks for this new friend, named Shmuel, daily. This is the part of the day these two boys look forward to most. This makes us realize our childhood went so smoothly and was a blessing, in comparison to so many little boys from war age.

Bruno and Shmuel carry out this play date, without a fail. They go through so many changes. The world around them becomes darker and darker by each passing day. But they don’t realize it. The saddest thing for them becomes, Bruno moving back to Berlin, far away from Shmuel in a couple of weeks. They plan their last play date, to bid a final goodbye till they can meet again. And things take an adventurous turn. The story maintains it slower place though out the climax, which makes it even more daunting. I won’t go on and write about climax, because I’m no good writer like John Boyne. And no matter how much I try I won’t be able to put it so beautifully. So go on, find this book and read it. This is the book of 2020 that I would recommend everyone to read at least once. I can’t explain how much tenderness my heart felt reading this one. It’s a small book and a quick read. And it’s worth much more than any moment you’ve spent reading it. Do let me know if you’ve read it, and what do you like most about the book. Also tell me what you all are currently reading, my to read list needs few new titles. I’ll be back with another blog pretty soon. Till then keep reading, stay safe, stay home.