It is difficult to understand the complex characters in The Reader. The love affair or rather, the sexual affair that blooms between Hanna and Michael isn't very clear in its intentions. Michael's intense feelings of attraction are paralled with Hanna's unclear indifference. Her affection towards Michael is never defined. Though she shows hints of tenderness, her abrasive nature compromised her likeability. Hanna physically abused Michael, and to a greater extent, emotionally damged. Her controlling nature annoyed me as much as it annoyed Michael to always have to apologize. Though she is stoic, the author does a great job at demonstrating Hanna's innate vulnerability. I always felt like she was ashamed at herself. Especially when she freaked out about her job and michael skipping school.
To me, the age difference didn't disturb me. What was startling was the vast difference of knowledge between them. Hanna is much more mature, making her seem manipulative and predatory. While Michael is formally educated, it is obvious he knows nothing of life. The wisdom and self esteem is what makes michael seem like a child, not the age difference.
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