The inside book jacket of John Boyne's novel, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, reads:

The story of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the jacket, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about.

If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence.

Fences like this exist all over the world. We hope you never have to encounter such a fence.

It doesn't tell you very much, does it? Well, having just finished a marathon read of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,  I am sorry to say that I can tell you only a little more.

It is one of those books that you need to explore for yourself. Bruno, the main character, would agree. Bruno loves exploring.

Oh man. I really want to tell you about this book. I want to tell you all about it. I want to tell you about Pavel and Gretel and Kotler and especially Shmuel. I want to tell you about a big house, a smaller house, and a camp full of tiny houses. I want to tell you about the rain and the mud and the tire swing. I want to tell you about an angry little man with an angry little moustache, and a mysterious place called Out-With. But I won't. I won't tell you about any of this because you're going to read all about it for yourself, aren't you?

Are you still on the fence? Which side will you fall? Bruno is waiting.

I give The Boy in the Striped Pajamas 4 Words out of 4 -- the highest rating we allow.

WORD WORD WORD WORD

Buy it here.