1. ENGLISH 4
LISTENING
THE ARTS
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS
FROM : MIRAMAX
Irish writer John Boyne's fourth novel is the
first he has written for children. It's a
touching tale of an odd friendship between
two boys in horrendous circumstances and
a
reminder of man's capacity
for
inhumanity.
Bruno is a nine-year-old boy growing up in
Berlin during World War II. He lives in a
five-storey house with servants, his mother
and father and 12-year-old sister, Gretel.
His father wears a fancy uniform and they
have just been visited by a very important
personage called the Fury, a pun which
adult readers should have no trouble
deciphering. As a consequence of this visit,
Bruno's father gets a new uniform, his title
changes to Commandment and, to Bruno's
chagrin, they find themselves moving to a
new home at a place called Out-With.
1
Teacher : Tell me more recent history. Are you interested in current affairs ?
2
Gretel : Yes, very.
3
Teacher : So, you’ll be aware of the situation in which our great nation presently finds itself.
4
Gretel : Yes, I read newspapers whenever I can and one of father’s men keeps me up to date
5
on everything that is happening.
6
Teacher : Good. And you, Bruno? Have you been reading newspapers?
7
Bruno : shakes his head.
8
Teacher : Have you been reading anything?
9
Bruno : Books.
10
Teacher : Good. What sort of books?
11
Bruno : Adventure books mainly. You know knights in shining armour, exploring strange
12
lands and so on, you see the princess is always getting in the way.
13
Teacher : This is why I am here to help. You’re how old now, Bruno? Eight?
14
Bruno : nods.
15
Teacher : Time to get your head out of those fiction books and start learning about fact.
16
Time I think to turn your mind to the real world. And I believe this would be the perfect
17
start.
BOOK REVIEW : http://www.theage.com.au/news/book-reviews/the-boy-in-the-striped-pyjamas
PHOTO BOOK COVER : http://amazon.co.uk
PHOTO JOHN BOYNE : http://www.johnboyne.com