The Reader

For 15-year-old Michael Berg, a chance meeting with an older woman leads to far more than he ever imagined. The woman in question is Hanna and before long they embark on a passionate, clandestine love affair which leaves Michael both euphoric and confused. For Hanna is not all she seems.

Years later, as a law student observing a trial in Germany, Michael is shocked to realize that the person in the dock is Hanna. The woman he had loved is a criminal.

Much about her behaviour during the trial does not make sense. But then suddenly and terribly, it does - Hanna is not only obliged to answer for a horrible crime, she is also desperately concealing an even deeper secret.

Short-listed for Heathrow Travel Product Award: Travel Read, Fiction 2009

“This mesmerising novel is a story of love and secrets, horror and compassion, unfolding against the haunted landscape of post-war Germany”

'For generations to come, people will be reading and marvelling over Bernhard Schlink's THE READER.' - Evening Standard

'A sensitive, daring, deeply moving book about the tragic results of fear and the redemptive power of understanding.' - Ruth Rendell

'Moving, suggestive and ultimately hopeful... Leaps national boundaries and speaks straight to the heart.' - New York Times Book Review

'Readers of the book - thousands, one hopes - will understand the nature of atonement when they have finished reading it.' - Daily Telegraph

Bernhard Schlink was born in Germany in 1944. He is a professor of law at the University of Berlin and a practising judge. He lives in Bonn and Berlin.

For 15-year-old Michael Berg, a chance meeting with an older woman leads to far more than he ever imagined. The woman in question is Hanna and before long they embark on a passionate, clandestine love affair which leaves Michael both euphoric and confused. For Hanna is not all she seems.Years later, as a law student observing a trial in Germany, Michael is shocked to realize that the person in the dock is Hanna. The woman he had loved is a criminal.Much about her behaviour during the trial does not make sense. But then suddenly and terribly, it does - Hanna is not only obliged to answer for a horrible crime, she is also desperately concealing an even deeper secret.

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