52 pages 1 hour read

Jerzy Kosiński

The Painted Bird

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1965

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosiński follows a dark-haired boy who wanders across Eastern Europe during World War II, witnessing and enduring profound, brutal acts that reflect the savagery of human nature. Through encounters with various hostile villagers, he experiences subjugation and cruelty, seeking to understand power and survival amidst the conflation of human and animalistic violence. Depictions of violence, sexual abuse, and cruelty.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Jerzy Kosiński's The Painted Bird receives mixed reviews for its harrowing depiction of a boy's survival during WWII. Critics laud its unflinching exploration of brutality and human resilience, but some find the graphic violence excessive and the narrative bleak. The novel's stark prose and emotional depth resonate deeply with many readers, making it a provocative and challenging read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Painted Bird?

Readers who appreciate unsettling, poignant narratives exploring the human condition during wartime, akin to Primo Levi’s If This Is a Man or Elie Wiesel’s Night, will find Jerzy Kosiński’s The Painted Bird compelling. These readers revel in profound, dark examinations of survival, identity, and resilience amid atrocity.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

980L

Book Details

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Revenge

Genre

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Historical Fiction

Classic Fiction

Period

WWII / World War II

Topics

Military / War