Although the woman is much older than him, 36, he is instantly attracted to her and she in turn is attracted to him. They immediately begin a passionate sexual affair. Michael "comes of age" as she initiates him the ways of sexually pleasing a woman. Despite their physical intimacy, Michael discovers that the woman is quite mysterious and hesitant to open up to him. It takes a few visits to her apartment before he learns that her name is Hannah. He also discovers that Hannah is interested in the books that he reads for his school assignments and she asks him to read them to her. Hannah enjoys this so much, that it becomes a regular part of their encounters. Before and after their sexual trysts, Michael reads stories aloud to Hannah. Michael and Hannah fall in love but as they get closer Hannah becomes irritable and moody. After one of their arguments, Hannah packs up and leaves her apartment without leaving a note, a forwarding address, or even a reason why she left. A devastated Michael must pick up the pieces after the woman he loves suddenly disappears out of his life.

Michael continues his education and goes on to study law. In 1966 he signs up for a law seminar under a middle-aged teacher, Professor Rohl. In the course of their studies, the students attend real life trials. During one such trial that in which the defendants are women that were concentration camp guards during the nazi regime, Michael is horrified to discover that one of the defendants is the woman he had fallen in love with 8 years earlier - Hannah Schmitz. As he sits through the trial, he hears terrible things about her crimes and must face the difficult task of reconciling that with the woman that he knew and loved.

In the The Reader Hannah and Michael are representatives of their generations and it brings forth the struggle that faced the younger generation as they had to deal with atrocities that were committed by people that they had grown up to love and respect, be it their parents, teachers, friends, etc., It should be said that this film does not present any absolutes. Hannah is not presented as a particularly likeable character and the viewer is not expected to either sympathize with her or hate her. The story is seen through the eyes of Michael. Another interesting figure is Professor Rohl, who has a rather too small part. We find out more about him in the deleted scenes on the dvd. In his past he had stayed in Germany under the nazi regime and taught law. He presents some interesting issues to his students about law and morality.

In addition to a fascinating and intricate story, The Reader has a stellar cast that brilliantly brings it to life, particularly Kate Winslet as Hannah Schmitz, David Kross as young Michael Berg, Ralph Fiennes as older Michael Berg, and Bruno Ganz as Professor Rohl. David Kross and Ralph Fiennes merge seamlessly as the younger/older versions of the character.

The Reader is very emotionally stirring, challenging, and powerful. On a related note, there is an interesting book that deals with similar subject matter. My Father's Keeper by Stephen and Norbert Lebert covers the lives of the children of some of the most powerful high-ranking nazis such as Heinrich Himmler, Martin Bormann, Rudolf Hess, and Hans Frank.