Revisiting Pajamas

It has been several months, seven to be specific, since the pajama book has been mentioned here; and yes, I remember promising not to blog about it again. I am now officially going to rescind that announcement and blog once more about The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. What brought about this change? Two things: (1) I have been discussing the book with students taking a young adult literature class, and (2) I read two very different letters to the editor in the April issue of School Library Journal.

First, a quick review of my other blog entries on this topic:

• Advance Reader copies (6/10/06) : Disturbed by the book and it's classification as a fable, I decided it might have some use in the classroom.
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (7/13/06): Still ranting about the title, specifically elements of "creepiness, cute words for real words, the ending, and it being a 'fable.'" Includes short discussion of book reviews.
• Last of the Striped Pajamas (9/2/06): Discussion of book reviews and particular mention of SLJ having a starred review. Actually, I said: "A well written review that includes a professional opinion, I beg to disagree with her conclusion and am a bit horrified by the star it was given."

I made a concerted effort not to overstate my gathering dislike of Pajamas when discussing it with students in the library. However, when my opinion was asked it was freely given and more often than not included issues of fable, allegory, concern over the perpetration of the "Holocaust as a myth" theory, and dislike of the main character's simplicity/stupidity. Two very different viewpoints are presented as letters to the editor and were very edifying.

"If Boyne wishes readers to see his glib and life-cheapening work as a fable, so be it. Maybe we should remember that fables carry within them a “narration intended to enforce a useful truth.” By the author’s own definition it is not an allegory."

"When they explain all the mysteries of Pajamas to readers, will they explain what the pajamas signify (a penultimate dehumanization of Jews and others, “sub-humans.” Is Shmuel really sub-human?); that “out-with” is humanity’s ultimate degradation of humanity? Will our guides explain what “out-with” was? Boyne’s book never does. Boyne’s book never explains to readers whose knowledge of history is weak or nonexistent exactly what happened—and why."
- (SLJ, Gordon, p. 13-14)

And the reviewers response:

"In my point of view, the book, read as historical allegory or fable, clearly presents the atmosphere in Nazi Germany, hinting at violence, blind hatred, deplorable conditions, bullying, and fearfulness. At the end of Boyne’s tale, however, the realization of the evil that has been done extracts a measure of justice from the Commandant and his family. I am confident that this book will spark lively and thoughtful discussion of genocide, how it is allowed to happen, and that there can be no confusing innocence with ignorance." - (SLJ, Scheps, p. 14)

I still can not agree that this is a good book about, or representative of another viewpoint regarding the Holocaust. On Sunday afternoon I was channel surfing and happened across Band of Brothers and the GI's were in a Nazi concentration camp, looking for a friend and viewing the carnage. The graphic images stayed with me most of the afternoon and even now, make the idea of the Holocaust being presented as a fable distasteful. Instead, read Dark Hours by Gudrun Pauswang.

Both of these reviews are available online from School Library Journal editorials page titled, Scared of 'Scrotum.' That, I dare say, is fodder for another blog post.


Tags: School Library Journal, The boy in the striped pajamas,Book reviews, SLJ letters to the editor