Analysing the blurb
Read the following text from the back cover of John Boyne's novel, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, then answer the questions below:
The story of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' is very difficult to describe. Usually we give some clues about the book on the cover, but in this case we think that would spoil the reading of the book. We think it is important that you start to read without knowing what it is about. If you do start to read this book, you will go on a journey with a nine-year-old boy called Bruno. (Though this isn't a book for nine-year-olds.) And sooner or later you will arrive with Bruno at a fence. We hope you never have to cross such a fence.
- Is it the kind of writing you would expect to see on the back of a book? Explain your answer as fully as you can.
- Can you make any predictions about the novel – characters, settings or events – based on what you have just read?
- What persuasive techniques are used here to draw the reader in? Remember that persuasion can be about what is not said as well as what is...
- Look closely at the length of sentences and the language used in this piece of writing. Can you make any comments about who might read this novel based on this cover blurb?