Books2Movies Club discussion

Schindler's Ark is a Booker Prize-winning novel published in 1982 by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally, which was later adapted into the highly successful movie Schindler's List directed by Steven Spielberg. The United States version of the book was called Schindler's List from the beginning; it was later re-issued in Commonwealth countries under that name as well. The book tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a Nazi Party member, who turns into the unlikely hero. By the end of the war, Schindler has saved 1,200 Jews from concentration camps all over Poland and Germany.
(source: wikipedia)

As you are probably aware, this novel is of sensitive nature, it talks about real people and true events that occurred not so long ago in our past - these accounts must be remembered for future generations, but wounds - physical, emotional or both - may not have been healed yet. So if you feel for any reason that you won't be able to bear the horrors recorded in this novel, don't worry, you are not obliged to read this book. Also, our younger members might wish to consult their parents or teachers on this novel's appropriateness for reading.

Feel free to share any of your opinions and thoughts about the book here. The film and its comparisons with the novel should be discussed in the film thread.

I picked up a copy so I'll be joining in with the group read!

I might just take it off my tumbling TBR shelf, dust it off, and open it up ... ;o)

I'll dig my copy out to re-read over half term. Best stock up on tissues too!

I have to say that I did not like this book. The movie was amazing, it was so well done and emotional that I thought the book would be doubly-so! However, I was wrong... In my opinion, the book is dry and boring! A lot of facts and name-dropping, a lot of information, but underneath it all no feelings. I am assuming that maybe the author wanted to write a historical account and did not want emotions involved, but this truly felt like I was reading a history book.

I liked how the very end gave us more insight into Oskar's life after the war and how he died. It made me incredibly sad to realize that Oskar Schindler, the powerful, charismatic tycoon, who was all about drinking, women, schmoozing with the rich and influential, became (and died) a broke nobody after the war ended, instead of becoming a hero :(.
It just shows that he was a social butterfly who thrived in that setting, so when the war ended, his Nazi so-called friends arrested, and there was no one left to "schmooze" with, there was nothing left for Oskar to do. He couldn't adjust to a different life-style and didn't know how to live differently...

Full review...

Alright, another book I forgot to review. It was so long ago, but I do remember two things that bothered me the most.
I think this book is very important, even more than the movie. I guess I liked its objective, historian-like style more than Spielberg's tugging on my heartstrings. It uncovered unfathomable depths of evil humans can have in themselves. I found it unbearable, how Nazis truly considered every "non-Aryan" person non-human therefore disposable. I shook with terror on realization that many survivors had something to barter for their lives, either money, gold, other trinkets, valuable connections, or their own cunning and talents. They were kept alive because they had something to give in return. I wept for those unfortunate souls who hadn't a single thing to offer but their own bodies.
The biggest puzzle of all was, that with such a big number of prisoners and quite a number of German guards who did not believe in this lunatic Nazi scheme, no one didn't dare to stand against the oppressors. How fear makes people so small and insignificant when there's no one to look up to... If there wasn't Schindler... What is it in human nature that majority of let's say good-behaving populace quietly allows the bullying minority to rule over them? What's wrong with us?

Exactly ! I have yet to understand how this managed to happen. All these Jews and almost the WHOLE WORLD - almost silently went along with this bully!? And allowed this minority to torture SO MANY people until it was too late !? What would have happened if the targeted people united and fought back from the start ? But I guess this is that phenomenon - where fear rules... :( So sad!

Elena wrote: "Exactly ! I have yet to understand how this managed to happen. All these Jews and almost the WHOLE WORLD - almost silently went along with this bully!? And allowed this minority to torture SO MANY..."

It is indeed a topic for psychologists... It is probably in the nature of survival to avoid conflicts, especially if one is already weak and alone. They were all malnourished, separated from their families and friends, and definitely so scared for their lives and lives of their loved ones. It really takes only one or two strong willed people who we might call leaders to give ideas, hope, and strength to the other prisoners. I think that's how some people managed (or tried at least) to escape from gulags and camps.

I must remind (and rebuke) myself however, it is so easy to type about this on my comfy chair, with zero real-life experience about this :(