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Rating: "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas". One of the greatest massacres in history seen through the eyes of a child.
Surely, many of you have seen the film. Well, I have not seen the film; I have read the book. The protagonist is not a child; the true leading roles are innocence, unawareness, kindness, the serenity of a child. The antagonists are not the soldiers or "the Fiuro"; the antagonists are man’s selfishness, superiority, and indifference. So, Bruno, just arrived at "Auscit" because the "Fiuro" had great plans for his father, who worked to supervise the famous concentration camp, sees people beyond the fence, all gathered together.
"And as he stood there, a final thought occurred to him: the hundreds of people busy down there were all dressed alike. They wore a striped gray pajama and a striped gray cap."
Bruno also has a sense of humanity that few possess, discovering that they are all people.
"Bruno frowned. He was about to tell her that he was feeling a bit peckish, but he just observed her. And for the first time, he realized he had never considered Maria as a person with her own life and past. As far as he remembered, she had never been more than the family maid. He wasn't even sure he'd ever seen her in anything other than her uniform. At that moment, Bruno realized that there must be more to Maria's life than just serving him and his family. She must have things she missed, and friends she wanted to see again, just like him. And ever since they had been there, she had probably cried every night before going to sleep."
He envied "those in the striped pajamas". Then he meets Shmuel, aware of the fact that Bruno doesn’t know what goes on the other side.
"«It’s so unfair» said Bruno. «I don’t understand why I have to be imprisoned on this side of the fence where there is no one to talk to and play with, while you have many friends you probably play with for hours every day.»"
Bruno does not understand the reason for that separation.
"«I want to know why there is that fence.» he said determinedly, convinced it was better to start with the most important thing. Gretel turned in her chair and looked at him in surprise. «You’re not saying you don’t know?» «No» said Bruno «I don’t understand why we are not allowed to go to the other side of the fence. What have we done that we cannot go over there and play?» «Bruno, the fence is not there to stop us from going to the other side. It’s there to stop them from coming over here.» «But why?» «Because they have to stay with their kind, with the other Jews.» «And are we Jews?» «No, absolutely not. And don’t even say that as a joke.» «But why not? What are we then?» «We are... Oh, well, we are not Jews. We are the opposite.» «Oh, and the opposite and the Jews don’t get along.»"
As you will have noted, there are many "why?" typical of a child's curiosity. These questions make us understand that there is no real reason given for war. But the friendship between the two children is stronger than a barrier and Bruno, before returning to Berlin, decides to "go to the other side" to look for Shmuel's father. And he discovers the brutal truth.
"Bruno widened his eyes, surprised by what he saw. In his imagination, he was convinced that in every hut lived a happy family. And he had imagined that in the evening the adults sat outside in rocking chairs, telling each other stories of good old times. He thought that the boys and girls living there were divided into teams to play tennis and soccer. But there was none of that. There was a mass of people sitting in groups, staring at the ground, and they looked horribly sad."
Obviously, J. Boyne wants to tell us, besides that the atrocities of war are horrific, that power wants to hide the "dark" things they perform. The world distracts us with various things and events while secretly preparing another war (God forbid!) or enriching themselves (not only materially) at the expense of ordinary people. Recommended.
"All this happened a long time ago and it should not happen again. Not today."
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