Part 1

So far, I really enjoy The Reader. The writing style is simple yet effective and easy to read, yet the content is complex and captivating. I like how the book is a collection of events that occurred in the past. I figured that since the first part of the book is a long time ago in his past the rest of the book will be as well. Stories that occur in the past are the best in my opinion. The way they are narrated allows for the character or characters to reflect upon what happened and compare their perspective from back then to their perspective during the present. It makes for a more analytical, interesting, and deep reading experience. This book is very different than other books I have read. I have never really read books about a sexual relationship between two people with a 21 year age difference. In a way, it is a relief reading something so different. The sexuality of the book is intimate and Michael is willing to do things with and for this woman he had just met even before he knew her name. In today's day and age, Hanna and Michael's relationship would be considered statutory rape. Although Michael is participating consensually, Hanna does not know his real age (even though 17 is still quite young). The fact that Michael had the guts to show up after their initial "reunion" and their awkward eye contact while he watched her undress, tells a lot about his character. He is brave and has a self determination that shows a certain amount of maturity for a 15 year old teenage boy. But, no matter how mature his actions, determination, and sex life are, his emotional state of mind is pretty young. Michael compared to how Hanna treats him to how his mother treated him when he was a small child. Isn't that kind of strange? To compare a lover's disposition to the disposition of one's own mother? It shows how immature he really is and that Hanna is preying on his insecurities and willingness to comply to authority and attention. Hanna is a commanding person and teaches Michael a lot of things, especially how to make love. This obviously has a huge impact on his life and psyche. He states that he remembers being happy in his "relationship" with Hanna, but looking back it is clear that he was physically happy but morning more. There was no substance to their relationship- Hanna was controlling and robotic like and vague about her past and basically everything in her life and Michael was too young and naive to realize that their relationship was not a real one. When he meets Sophie he realizes that his relationship with her is different from his relationship with Hanna even though they are only friends. Hanna does not care for his feelings, while Sophie does. She unknowingly diagnoses Hanna's presence in Michael's life as an "illness" which Michael does not believe to be true. In my opinion, it is. She is not good for him and needs to go. When she does leave, abruptly for that matter, Michael becomes despondent and agitated and blames himself for everything that happened. I find it sad that he places such an immense amount of guilt on himself after being taken advantage of, sexually used and abused, though he does not see it that way. I look forward to continue reading the rest of this book.