The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

I just love the books and movies set in World War II, even though there are hundreds of them. However, this book is really wonderful and special at some parts. It is about a boy, Bruno, who is forced to move from his house in Berlin, to a small house near a camp. Throughout the book, you witness an innocent boy’s descriptions of what goes on around him. It is truly fascinating to read a little boy’s point of view. Crossover books are the books that appeal both to young readers and adult readers. I see this book a bit like The Story of Tracy Beaker. I am not talking about the plot of course, but they are kind of similar in terms of the language and style. Because both books are written with a little kid’s point of view and only adults can see the some points and perhaps even the truth since there are some points hidden between the lines. Fence that is mentioned in the book may be interpreted as losing the innocence. Once you step on adulthood, you can never go back and you eventually lose your innocence.

Bruno likes to walk around and find out and experience things. While reading the book, I wanted to go where he is, find him and warn him about what exactly was going on. On the other hand I know he is a kid and I actually would not him to find out the truth, because the moment he does, he would lose his innocence, which makes you want to read the book in the first place, so it would not be right. But then you think about it, and the same decision is made by his parents and it leads him to a tragic end. You feel absolutely heartbroken and I am sure lots of other people who have read the book feel the same way.

It is a book also about friendship, love, and family. There is no reason why it should not appeal to adult readers as well. There is also the reason that I mentioned earlier, adults are able to see the points hidden among the lines. They could actually understand the meaning of the fence, could imagine the two divided worlds; Jews and non-Jews. It is also a sad book, but which book that is about World War II is not sad? It is expected, but I think it is extra heart breaking when you get attached to Bruno as you read on.

Good Omens, The Curious Incident and The Northern Lights are also novels that can be read both by young readers and adult readers. Especially for adults, being able to read between the lines will make them see the good and evil, politics and religion, all sorts of things a little kid could interpret entirely differently.  And I think why crossover books are important. It actually gives the reader and idea how once everyone was innocent, and then they are sometimes forced, or sometimes choose to become evil or simply bad in order to overcome with the problems.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Some books keep giving you the same satisfaction no matter how many times you read them after the first time. The Lion, The Witch and The Wordrobe is one of those books. It is also a book that will force you to think beyond your imagination. It is brilliantly-written and you switch universes when you read it and you find yourselves in this imaginary world in the book. I do not know how many times I’ve read this book and seen the movie. It is a true youngster book that might also appeal adult readers.

Narnia is a place where most of the things are different from the world we know, which actually serves the purpose of a fantasy book. Animals can talk; they can actually help people, be friends with them. I always like the idea the animals’ ability of speaking because sometimes you feel that animals actually talk to you when you look at them, they are trying to say something to you, you can feel it. At least I do. But there are not only animals we know in this world, there are also mythological creatures which instantly draw your attention.

One common aspect of fantasy books is that there is usually a character who takes the role of a hero or heroine. In this book, we see four brothers and sisters, Lucy, the youngest one and also the one who discovered Narnia; Edmund, the second youngest one and who also was fooled by the White Witch; Susan, the second oldest sister, who does not believe Narnia until she goes there and lastly, Peter, who is the oldest brother and the one who plays the hero to overthrow the White Witch. I like the fact that they are all related, I often get the feeling Susan and Peter are like mother and father whereas Edmund and Lucy are like their children.

No fantasy novel is complete without an evil character, of course. And our evil character is in this book is White Witch, who claims herself to be the owner of the land. She tyrannizes Narnia with her magical powers. As it is described in the book, it is ‘always winter but never christmas.’

Another aspect of a fantasy book is that hero or heroine usually gets supernatural help from someone or some creature. In this certain book, we see Aslan, the true lord of Narnia. I am sure anyone who’s read the book loves this character. He is full of good intentions, one big favor he does is that he sacrifices himself to save Edmund, (I am sure everyone hated Edmund at that moment), but fortunately, he comes back to life later. We also see Tumnus, a faun, who is actually supposed to kidnap Lucy, but he is not a bad creature and really likes Lucy, but he later is betrayed by Edmund who tells the Witch what he has done. (Edmund again…). And we should not forget Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, who hide Peter, Lucy and Susan and lead them to Aslan.

Chronicles of Narnia is certainly a wonderful fantasy book. It has every feature what a fantasy book should have, and it creates a world for you where you can go and forget about this world while reading.