Part 3 (Alexia Barrios)

Once I got past the oddness of the sexual relationship between Hanna and Michael, I find the book to be very interesting and I enjoyed it. Though we did not have as much time as I maybe would have liked to read it, I still found myself able to enjoy it. I enjoyed the author’s language as it allowed for an easy read but at the same time the content was intriguing as Schlink was able to portray the complexity of the emotional attachments between Hanna and Michael.

            As odd as the relationship between Hanna and Michael was, do to the large age difference, I believe it was one that was somewhat necessary for Michael. In a sense, this relationship, though maybe a bit too premature, allowed him to blossom in a man as before he was struggling with his pride due to his illness. At the moment this growth and self-esteem boost was necessary. The only negative aspect of the relationship is the emotional damage that it left him when the relationship came to an end. He was left numb and emotionally detached, solely due to his fear of being hurt once again and that he lost his first love, which explains his behavior when he gets her out of prison. An aspect of the story that I found to be very interesting was the role reversal that took place. It seemed to me that Michael had now taken a more authoritative figure in the novel and was the emotionally devoid one, while near the end Hanna was more vulnerable and was disappointed when she learned that he did not have an emotional connection with her anymore. It was an interesting turn of events.

            Like others, I was sad to learn of Hanna’s death since she was such a huge part of Michael’s life. One can even say that he would not be the person he is not if she hadn't come along so she was an essential figure in his life and her death must have had a huge impact on him. Overall, as I said, I enjoyed the book as it was different and entertaining.