Bernhard Schlink is a German lawyer and writer who became popular for his book "The Reader". The book was published in 1995 and was later adapted into a movie in 2008. The book tells a story of a young man who falls in love with an older woman who is hiding a secret from her past. Here are some of the best quotes from "The Reader" by Bernhard Schlink.
"You ask me why I read. It’s simple: because books are wonderful mirrors. You see yourself in them, and you find your soul in them, too."
This quote from "The Reader" is a perfect representation of why people read books. Books allow us to see ourselves and the world around us in a different light. They offer us a glimpse into different perspectives and experiences that we may not have encountered otherwise.
"What had I really wanted to find? Love? A feeling of safety? A partner with whom I could connect? All of these things, probably. But also something else: a sense of self-realization."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the inner struggles that people face when trying to find love and connect with others. It reminds us that we must first discover who we are and what we want before we can truly connect with someone else.
"I don’t know whether what happened in the camps was right or wrong, but I do know it was necessary."
This quote from "The Reader" is a controversial one. It highlights the moral complexities of the Holocaust and the difficult decisions that people had to make during that time. It reminds us that history is not always black and white, and that sometimes we must make difficult decisions in order to survive.
"There are moments when I wish I could roll back the clock and take all the sadness away, but I have a feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as well."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that we cannot have joy without experiencing sadness. It reminds us that life is full of ups and downs, and that we must embrace both in order to live a full and meaningful life.
"The damage was permanent; there would always be scars. But even the angriest scars faded over time until it was difficult to see them written on the skin at all, and the only thing that remained was the memory of how painful it had all been."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the lasting impact that trauma can have on a person. It reminds us that even though the physical scars may fade, the emotional scars can last a lifetime. It also reminds us of the importance of healing and finding ways to move forward.
"The more one learns, the more one realizes how little one knows."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that the more we learn, the more we realize how much we have yet to learn. It reminds us that knowledge is infinite and that there is always room for growth and improvement.
"Guilt is a hunter."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that guilt can be a powerful force that drives us to seek redemption. It reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that we must take responsibility for them.
"I wanted simultaneously to understand Hanna’s crime and to condemn it. But it was too terrible for that. When I tried to understand it, I had the feeling I was failing to condemn it as it must be condemned. When I condemned it as it must be condemned, there was no room for understanding."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the moral complexities of Hanna's crime and the difficulty in reconciling our desire for justice with our desire for understanding. It reminds us that sometimes there are no easy answers and that we must grapple with difficult questions in order to move forward as a society.
"It was her fault, but it was my crime."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the complex relationship between Hanna and the narrator. It reminds us that sometimes we are complicit in the actions of others, even if we are not the ones committing the crime. It also reminds us of the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and the impact they have on others.
"Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that even though we may return to the same place, we are never the same person we were before. It reminds us that life is a journey and that we are constantly evolving and changing.
"What a terrible era in which idiots govern the blind."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the frustration and despair that many people feel when those in power do not act in their best interests. It reminds us of the importance of holding our leaders accountable and fighting for what we believe in.
"The truth often lies in what a person is not saying."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that sometimes what is left unsaid can be just as important as what is said. It reminds us to pay attention to the nonverbal cues and emotions of others in order to better understand their perspective.
"The past is never where you think you left it."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that our past experiences shape who we are and can continue to influence us long after we think we have moved on. It reminds us that healing and growth are ongoing processes that require us to be mindful of our past experiences.
"Love, like everything else in life, should be a discovery, an adventure, and like most adventures, you don’t know you’re having one until you’re right in the middle of it."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that love is not something that can be planned or predicted. It reminds us that love is a journey and that we must be open to the unexpected twists and turns that come with it.
"Memory is a complicated thing, a relative to truth but not its twin."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that memory is subjective and can be influenced by our emotions and experiences. It reminds us to be mindful of our biases and to seek out multiple perspectives in order to better understand the truth of a situation.
"What you don’t know would make a great book."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that sometimes the things we don't know can be just as interesting and important as the things we do know. It reminds us to be curious and to seek out new experiences and knowledge.
"The world can be understood in many ways, but most of them are useless."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that there are many ways to understand the world around us, but not all of them are useful. It reminds us of the importance of critical thinking and discernment when evaluating information.
"What would you have done?"
This quote from "The Reader" is a haunting reminder of the difficult choices that people had to make during the Holocaust. It reminds us of the importance of empathy and understanding when trying to comprehend the actions of others.
"There are moments when I feel like giving up or giving in, but I soon rally again and do my duty as I see it: to keep the spark alive in the human soul through the dark ages ahead."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that even in the darkest of times, there is hope and resilience within the human spirit. It reminds us of the importance of perseverance and determination in the face of adversity.
"I wanted to let the world know that no one had a monopoly on morality."
This quote from "The Reader" highlights the idea that morality is not absolute and that there are many different perspectives and beliefs. It reminds us of the importance of respecting diversity and differing opinions.