Review: The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Publication Date: March 14, 2006
Genre: YA Contemporary
Pages: 550

 

 

Summary

 

 



It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery....

Narrated by Death, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist – books. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever they are to be found.

With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, Liesel learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids, as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

 

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

I kept seeing this one in stores. I kept looking at it but never bought it. I finally did and I loved it.

 

 

 

In years to come, he would be a giver of bread, not a stealer - proof again of the contradictory human being. So much good, so much evil. Just add water.

 

 

I fell in love with this book. The plot is great. It is paced well. It has away to break your heart and have it fixed on the same page. It makes you really care about the characters. And Death, who narrates, tells you bad things before it happens. So you know when someone dies before you read it. And, here comes a spoiler, the ending is not happy. And Death tells you that half way through the book.

 

Now on to the characters. Let's start with Death. He pretty much is a middle-aged man who is tired of his job. He is tired of war and he hates war. And he is curious about humans. He doesn't understand them. Then there is Liesel. She starts out at nine and just arriving at a new foster home. Over the course of the book she learns to read, starts stealing books, and grows to love her neighbor, Rudy. She is strong willed, and stubborn girl who has a way with people.

 

Max is a scared Jew. He wants to help and fight but knows he would do nothing that would help. Hans wants to and trys to do the right thing. It gets him in trouble most of the time but he keeps trying. Rosa is angry and loud, but has a bigger heart than everyone realizes.

 

And then there is Rudy. He is my favorite. He is a typical boy who keeps asking for a kiss form Liesel. He sticks up for his friends and he sticks up for what he believes in. He wants to protect his family and Liesel.

 

This book is great. I loved it from the start. And it makes you love the characters. It has a lot of heart and I easily recommend this book to everyone.

 

 

.5