![](https://image.librarything.com/pics/fugue21/magnifier-left.png)
![The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John…](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/P/0857534793.01._SX180_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... The Boy at the Top of the Mountain (original 2015; edition 2015)by John Boyne (Author)
Work InformationThe Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne (2015)
![]() Top Five Books of 2020 (365) Books Read in 2020 (3,273) No current Talk conversations about this book. This was a very thought provoking book. I have always been interested in WWII and the part that Hitler played. This story makes me wonder how anyone can be made to believe in such evil, and why. Was it because of Pierrot's age, that Hitler was able to take him? Was it because of his father fighting in WWI and his beliefs? This story made me uncomfortable yet hopeful at the same time. I believe that all children should read this in school, while learning about WWII, as a cautionary tale, of what can happen when you let yourself be influenced by others. Leeftijd: 12 - 15 jaar, maar persoonlijk vind ik 12 nog wel erg jong voor dit soort boeken. Het is toegankelijk en begrijpelijk geschreven. Sommige stukken zijn wat minder prettig, maar bevatten geen gruwelijke details. Dit boek is geen vrolijk boek. Het begint al met de ruzies die de vader en moeder van Pierrot hebben. Wilhelm Fischer, de vader van Pierrot was een Duits soldaat die in de Grote Oorlog had gevochten en daar veel had meegemaakt. Teveel zelfs. Emilie, Pierrot's moeder was een Franse. Zij zei altijd dat haar man niet in de oorlog was gestorven, maar dat het wel zijn dood was geworden. Toen Pierrot 4 was, is verdween zijn vader zonder een spoor achter te laten. Later hoorde ze dat hij een ongeluk had gehad in Duitsland en daar was overleden. Zijn moeder stond er alleen voor, en zorgde goed voor hem, tot ook zij plotseling ziek werd (tuberculose) en overleed. In eerste instantie werd de jongen opgevangen door zijn benedenburen, de Joodse familie Bronstein, maar al gauw werd dat te moeilijk voor de alleenstaande moeder, en verhuisde Pierrot naar een weeshuis in Orleans. Vanuit het weeshuis wordt Pierrot naar zijn tante in Oostenrijk gestuurd, waar hij kon gaan leven met zijn tante en het personeel in een mooi huis op een berg. Dat huis blijkt de 'Berghof' te zijn in Obersalzberg, eigendom van een meneer Hitler Vanaf dat moment verandert het leven van de jongen heel snel. Eerst wordt hij gedwongen zijn naam te veranderen in Pieter, later komt hij steeds meer onder de indruk van Hitler en zijn gedachten. De jongen is later mede-verantwoordelijk voor de dood van zijn tante, de chauffeur en een aantal anderen. Na de oorlog zit hij een tijdje in een gevangenenkamp. Na omzwervingen door België en Nederland (waar hij een tijdje onderwijzer is) komt hij weer terug in Parijs waar hij zijn belevenissen verteld aan zijn vriend Bronstein, die de oorlog overleefd heeft en nu een schrijver is geworden. One thing I've noticed of John Boyne, as an author, is that he likes to build his readers up with his tales and systematically destroy any hopes of a happy ending. This is understandable, considering that both The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Boy at the Top of the Mountain are World War II historical fiction novels, and the psychology behind that terrible part in human history was also a build-up and systematic destruction of sorts, but wow ... I felt quite hollow at the end of this book. We follow the story of the main protagonist, Pierrot - a French boy who grew up in a reasonably stable home, and was raised along with his Jewish neighbour in Paris. But as the story develops, and Pierrot's life quickly changes thanks to certain events I cannot disclose, Pierrot changes from a nice little boy into Hitler's little pet. There, in Obersalzberg, readers are pulled into the home of Adolf Hitler himself - right into the heart of The Berghof in Berchtesgaden - and are privy to seeing behind the scenes. How true this story is, in regards to the servants and employees who were at The Berghof during the war, is unclear. Nevertheless, it makes for a good read, an enthralling and memorable read. The short version of why Pierrot turns out the way he does, in my opinion, is: It is not a good idea for children to grow up around Hitler. I quite enjoyed reading The Boy at the Top of the Mountain, which is definitely written for a middle grade audience but which all ages should read, mainly because I enjoy historical fiction that revolves around WWII. That said, John Boyne did his research well in regards to developing his characterisation of Adolf Hitler. The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne is a fantastic story, which is just as soul crushing and thought-provoking as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, even though it is a wholly different tale. DEFINITELY buy this book if you want to get your hands on a new historical fiction novel revolving around WWII. Review originally posted on: no reviews | add a review
Belongs to Publisher SeriesEmpúries Narrativa (502)
When Pierrot becomes an orphan, he must leave his home in Paris for a new life with his aunt Beatrix, a servant in a wealthy Austrian household. But this is no ordinary time, for it is 1935 and the Second World War is fast approaching; and this is no ordinary house, for this is the Berghof, the home of Adolf Hitler. Pierrot is quickly taken under Hitler's wing and thrown into an increasingly dangerous new world: a world of terror, secrets, and betrayal from which he may never be able to escape.-- No library descriptions found. |
Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
![]() GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.92Literature English English fiction Modern Period 2000-LC ClassificationRatingAverage:![]()
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
His Dad leaves then his Mum dies of fever.
Pierrot is alone Anshel Mum cant look after him as they are Jewish and times are tough enough for them.
Pierrot is sent to an Orphanage
Out of the blue Pierrot's Aunt who is Hitlers live in House keeper sends for him, quickly Pierrot has to adapt his name is chsnged to Pieter a more German name.
Pieter slowly gets on well with Hitler he is taking under his wing. Pieter is slowly brainwashed and gets far to big for his boots.
Pieter changes from his old innocent self he no longer writes to Anshel he enjoys wearing the uniform of the Hitler youth. He betrays his Aunt and the Chauffer.
Eventually Hitler kills himself the Allies catch Pierrot/Pieter throw him in jail after the War. He eventually makes it back to Paris after a sad and lonely existence and finally meets Anshel again who is now a World class author.
Good book this very easy to read. (