The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Book Thief
Book Review: A Book Everyone Should Read.
Summary: 4 Stars
I approached this book a bit skeptically since it is considered a young adult book, however, I found The Book Thief one of the most heart-rending books that I have ever read. If you are a Nazi Germany buff, you will find this book is very different from what you have read. The Book Thief is a view of Nazi Germany through the eyes of children.
When Liesel Meminger's brother unexpectedly dies, her mother sends her to live with a small family in the town of Molching. Her new father is a gentle and caring man who makes her transition as easy as possible, but her new mother, Rosa Hubermann, is a slightly rougher and colorful character. Rosa, however, loves Liesel in her own unique way.
Liesel soon makes friends with a neighborhood boy named Rudy Steiner. Rudy and Liesel get into all sorts of mischief together and share a very deep and sincere connection. Liesel also befriends a boy named Max Vandenburg. Max Vandenburg is a Jew that Hans and Rosa Hubermann secretly keep in their basement at a time when being Jewish or sympathizing with anyone who is Jewish is extremely dangerous.
The first half of the book is about developing the relationships with Liesel and her new family and friends.You should be warned that the author takes his time with this. Some people thought the book read a bit slow, but the author, in fact, did an exceptional job of developing and describing the different relationships Liesel enages in after her arrival in Molching.
Nazi Germany is not exactly my favorite time period when reading novels, but The Book Thief took an unpleasant period in time and retold it through the eyes of three innocent children. I would recommend The Book Thief to anyone who appreciates an author who takes his time developing characters and relationships. This was a very emotional novel that everyone needs to read.
Book Review: A Book For Any Reader
Summary: 5 Stars
There are not many books that after I start I cannot stop reading until I finish. The Book Thief happened to be one of those books. Markus Zusak's writing style helps to keep the reader immersed in the book from beginning to end. The main character, Liesel, is a poor orphan girl that if anything bad that could happen to her happens at least once in her life. Now don't get me wrong, Liesel does have some good luck struck upon her, but it may not be considered good luck from the readers perspective, but from Liesel's it is. Her story is one of death, joy, war, just about any feeling or experience a human can have, sadly it all happens when she is just a child.
The entire story is not only narrated by death but is also told backwards. Death explains a situation in which he has encountered Liesel and then goes in depth about the situation and the time inbetween their encouters. This, in my opinion, is the entire reason why the book was able to keep me hooked.
Another reason that I, as a reader, was able to stay so hooked on this book was the authors writing style. The vibrant words of this writer flowed so fluently the reader knew they were just meant to be there. This quote from The Book Thief Pg. 80 will help back up my belief, "He was the crazy one who had painted himself black and defeated the world. She was the book thief without the words. Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain." The way the author formulates the words in this sentence allows the reader to get a vivid image of the words being wringed out of a cloth. The way Zusak writes is so artistic and creative and imaginative that is unbelievable. This book, although meant for high school students, is definitely one that can be read by all ages, because of the way the author can connect the reader in this brilliant piece of work. In my mind, I would give this book a ten out of 10 and recommend it to any one in need of a good book.
Book Review: A Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I only recently heard about this novel while talking with a stranger on the bus about good novels. She highly recommended this especially because I am interested in the lives of ordinary Germans and Jews during the Nazi reign of terror. I was not disappointed. Although it took a little while to get used to the author's writing style, I was totally immersed in this sweet, sad and tragic novel. Don't miss it.Book Review: A Compelling Story
Summary: 4 Stars
I had a really hard time getting into this story at first. It wasn't that it was a bad book, just a little slow. As it progressed, I started to enjoy it more. But, it never felt like that 4 or 5 star review that you so often see for this title. But, then I got to the last 100 pages or so. All of a sudden I couldn't put it down. It gripped me until the end. I even cried. All of a sudden a book that was close to being a 3 maybe 3.5 star book became a 4. I'd like to give it more, but the beginning brings it down. The end was completely worth the 400 or so pages it took to get there.
Book Review: A Deep Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I have just finished reading The Book Thief and am still in an emotional state from the ending. I have read a number of books about the Holocust but this one was the most unusual in its contents. The book, narrated by Death, was a combination of character building, historical settings and content and included books within the book. The books were written by characters, a Jew in hiding, and the main character, Liesel. Through her eyes and memories we are shown a period of time in Germany that must be remembered. She is an observer but also a participant. She never realizes what she is providing for all those who come in contact with her. In some ways, I think of her as an Anne Frank. Anne shares her days in her diary with the reader-Liesel also shares her days leading up to the end of her life in Germany. It is a story that will remain in my memory for a long time. P. Harper