'The Reader' by Bernhard Schlink - Book Club Discussion Questions

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink is the story of 15-year-old Michael Berg, who has an affair with Hanna, a woman more than twice his age. Years later, he finds out a terrible secret about her. Use these book club discussion questions on The Reader to lead your group in a conversation about Schlink's book.

Spoiler Warning: These book club discussion questions on The Reader by Bernhard Schlink reveal important details about the book. Finish the novel before reading on.

1. When did you understand the significance of the title?

2. Do you think The Reader is a love story? How would you describe Michael and Hanna's relationship?

3. Did you sympathize with Hanna?

4. Do you agree with Michael that Hanna was sympathetic with the prisoners she chose to read to her, and that she chose them so that their final month of life would be better?

5. When the judge confronts Hanna about not unlocking the church, she does not seem to understand what she did wrong. She is completely consumed with her responsibility to keep order. Was this shocking to you? What is lacking in her moral sense?

6. Do you think their is a connection between literacy and morality? Do you think Schlink is suggesting such a connection?

7. Michael feels guilt over a variety of things. In what ways, if any, is Michael guilty? Does loving someone who has committed such a horrible crime implicate him?

8. What did you think of Michael's decision to send Hanna the tapes?

9. Why do you think Hanna killed herself? Do you think she ever came to terms with her guilt as a Nazi? What about her guilt toward Michael?

10. Schlink has been criticized for The Reader. Some say it is wrong of him to try to get people to sympathize with Hanna. Others say he is trying to downplay the culpability of the educated class. Still others think he is blaming Hanna's guilt on illiteracy rather than holding her accountable. Do you agree with any of these criticisms?

11. Rate The Reader on a scale of 1 to 5.