Part 3, Chapter 5 Summary

Michael and Gertrud separate and later divorce. Michael continues to read, because he is unable to sleep very much. He begins to read aloud to himself, because it helps him to relax. He slowly realizes he is, in fact, reading aloud to Hanna even though she is not present. He buys a tape recorder and begins to record the books. He reads numerous books and then packages up all of the cassette tapes and mails them to Hanna in prison. He continues to read daily, always recording the reading, and sends many tapes to Hanna. He begins to write his own material, which he also records and sends to Hanna. However, he never sends any personal notes or communication beyond the text read onto the tapes.

Part 3, Chapter 5 Analysis

Michael has once again become Hanna's reader, an action, which gives the...