The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
11:55 PM
Author: Markus Zusak
Release Date: Sept 11, 2007 (paperback, first published 2005)
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 576
Source: Borrowed From Library
Overall: 5 Stars
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. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she 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 before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
You know those rare books that you'll come across a couple times where it will completely change you? Where you'll be held in a spell-binding grasp to keep reading? Where you'll feel yourself so immersed in the world of the characters and just lost in the story?
Well, The Book Thief is one of them.
Told from Death's point of view during World War II in Nazi Germany, the book is simply, in one word, extraordinary. The writing style is just so unique, filled with dark humour and although the first pages or so take some getting used to, you'll soon find yourself right in the story.
Leisel Meminger steals her first book at her brother's graveside, and so the Book Thief begins.When Leisel arrives at the home of her new foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, little does she expect the new life in store for her- and her country, and better yet, the world. Death might be telling Leisel's story, but he's also rather busy carrying souls.
As times progresses, Liesel learns how to read and write with her papa's help, makes a best friend in Rudy Steiner, becomes accustomed to life on Himmel Street in Molching, steals some more books... and oh yeah, helps hide a Jewish man by the name of Max Vandenburg in their basement, who soon becomes a friend. May I remind you that this is Nazi Germany?
I know my own little description doesn't serve the book justice at all, but I do hope it's enough to spark your interest and encourage you to read this novel. The novel brought tears to my eyes throughout the story and by the end of the novel... I was full out crying. Powerful and emotionally gripping, The Book Thief is a definite must read.
I couldn't find the author's website, but Random House has a decent one where you can learn more about Markus Zusak and The Book Thief. Just click here.
1 comments
Hey Liz! Just checking out some of your old reviews :)
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you! This books broke my heart to pieces! It's one of the two books, in my whole entire life, to make me cry. I thought about it for days after finishing it. Even when I try to explain how touching this book is right now, I can't do it. Nothing I say can describe how much this book has changed my life.