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Loading... The Book Thief (original 2005; edition 2008)by Markus Zusak
1   arukiyomi | Jun 19, 2012 | 
My VOYA ratings: 5Q, 5P This is, hands down, one of the best books I have read in the last year. It is poignant and powerful and makes the reader fall in love with the characters -- even the unlikely narrator. laureneve | May 16, 2013 | Q5 P4 I enjoyed spending the last week with The Book Thief immensely. I am increasingly interested in creative ways of bringing history to youth, especially stories about World War II. How about a somewhat mysterious and magical telling of a family living and resisting in the “heart of Nazism” by none other than Death himself? The perspectives offered here, both that of Death and our book-stealing hero Liesel, are new and innovative – and I feel they will reach young readers in a way that many non-fiction accounts will not. I think immediately about how the book reinforces the importance of words and stories. I recall Liesel as she reads out loud to neighbors huddled within a basement during a bomb raid, calming the frightened group; or as she dutifully reads to her bed-stricken friend Max, who is Jewish and being sheltered by her foster family, or even the story and images Max composes on the painted-over-pages of Mein Kampf. These scenes, and the power of the book stay with you long after you’ve finished it. I would recommend this book to teens and adults alike and am confident both would fall into its pages with little effort. nhalsan | May 16, 2013 | I ended up enjoying it in the end. About 80 pages in I felt like giving up, but after page 100, I was drawn in more every chapter (by page 400 I couldn't put it down). It is ironic though how in the amazon blurb it is called a "small story" being that it is a 550 page hardback. I would have thought that there didn't have to be as much background stories as the author gave each character, but as it is a story set in the of the rough time period of World War II it softened the intensity. The book, also, is told from the perspective of Death; which sounds horrifying at first, but really gives the story an edge that is intriguing and unique. In the end I gave this book 4/5 stars. (  ) 1110cg | May 12, 2013 | 5Q 4P (my codes) 5Q 4P (actual VOYA codes) Every once in a while, a story breaks out of accepted boundaries and morphs into an indescribable wonder--at once story, encyclopedia, dictionary, narrative, dialogue, metaphor, biography, The Book Thief grips you firmly with its opening introduction by Death and will not let you go. You cannot look away, forget, dismiss--the colors, smells, sights, tastes of Malking, Germany during Hitler's reign will haunt you if you do. They'll haunt you anyway. For this is not just a story of the Holocaust, it's a story of love and its absence, life and its alternative (which often is not death), and people's great capacity for evil and good. Not to mention some soccer, accordion, and slang cleverly woven in. (I listened to this as an audiobook.) jelizabethmills | May 10, 2013 | I was required to read this book for school, but as usual I was excited to read it. I felt that the author tried to have a gem of writing on each page. Which he did succeed in. The only problem I had with the book, was that, I had trouble connecting to the story, because I have never been through as much hardship as Liesel. But all in all I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the thoughts it gave you afterwards. ( ) Victoria22 | May 6, 2013 | This book does not immediately present itself as a Holocaust book. It doesn't immediately present itself as anything, really, which I kind of loved, because the narrator (who you discover is in fact Death) doesn't dumb a single thing down for you. It does have its slower moments, but the end of the book is redefining. I wouldn't have Markus Zusak change a thing. He's truly a master story-teller. Everything is structured just so for a final, crushing conclusion. ( ) frozenplums | May 2, 2013 | I loved The Book Thief. This may be the best book I've ever read. Beautifully written in my humble opinion. The way Zusak writes kept me continuously and completely enthralled regardless of what was happening in the story at any given moment and the story itself would have been enough. The book wasn't plot driven so don't expect that but it was a very emotional story and every little thing that happened brought a deeper understanding of the characters involved. Nothing was wasted. The book amazed me. (  ) Yona | May 2, 2013 | This is a beautifully written novel, told from the point of view of Death. In Nazi Germany a young girl is taken to live with a foster family whom she comes to love. The things she witnesses at the hands of the Furher are tragic, but she gains amazing relationships along the way. This is sure to become a classic and a book everyone should read. I found it lovely and horrible in equal measures. (  ) klarsenmd | May 1, 2013 | Some really powerful, poignant passages in this one, but I did keep thinking it was a YA book. Definitely qualifies as a good read. ( ) Angela.Kingston | May 1, 2013 | Haven't heard so many German 'curse' words, since my Dad and other relatives thought I couldn't understand the German they spoke when they didn't want me to know what was said. Of course, I understood - just never let on that there 'secret' language was filling me in on all their secrets. Wonder how many times I heard "Pass Auf" as a kid. Enjoyed the book. It's a recommend. Read in 2011.h ( ) CasaBooks | Apr 28, 2013 | I love this book and recommend it highly. In fact, if it's not on your TBR list, add it now. I noticed from the first page that the author creates an atmosphere than can be smelled -which is not easy with words, as well as tapping into all of one's senses. I loved the narritve. The book was incredibly poetic as well as a thriller. When an author finds a clever and different way to tell a story, and can do it with what seems effortlessness, that is the kind of book I love. This book tells the story of Germans in the midst of their Nazi leaders. There is obvious foreshadowing which goes against the grain of everything my high school English teacher taught, but it is told in a way that increases your interest and encourages you to read on. The characters open their hearts and invite you into their world. It's one of my favorite books of all time. ( ) bibliobethica | Apr 27, 2013 | 4Q, 4P Narrated by death and set in Germany during WWII provides a wide appeal for this book. The writing is very creative with many artfully crafted phrases that imply a different story than the one that follows. However, the beginning of the book is very disjointed and abstract. Combined with the many metaphores included, it takes a while to get into the story. amkj | Apr 27, 2013 | This was a wonderful read. Strong characters, good plot, nice setting, and writing that was above par. Not just for youth. I really enjoyed how the story was told from the perspective of the grim reaper. Zusak gives him/it an alien view of reality. How would humanity look from the eyes of death? ( ) wvlibrarydude | Apr 26, 2013 | This book was distinctly okay. It kind of felt like it wanted to be all things to all people? I've seen it classified as young-adult, and that works, in a sense, but I also get the impression that Zusak's ambitions were somewhat more "literary" than that? And in the same breath, I feel like the writing is often even more juvenile than young-adult literature tends to be. The narrator should be interesting, but isn't. Terry Pratchett portrays Death (and death) interestingly. Zusak doesn't. Death's narration left me cold, I felt no rapport with him, despite the conversational tone he took. Similarly, all the telegraphed plot points - mainly deaths - left me with nothing left to look forward to in this book, in the sense that, if we had to have a bleak ending (which, of course, we had), then we would bloody well know what KIND of bleak ending we were going to have! Like I said, it was okay. There were some nice scenes. But I didn't really feel anything about it and I feel like I should have. It was just so... simplistic. So black and white. I've had meatier Big Macs. (  ) heterocephalusglaber | Apr 26, 2013 | I think this is one of the most haunting books I have ever read. The kind of book that stays with you always. ( ) librarian1204 | Apr 26, 2013 | Maybe the most beautiful writing I've ever read. ( ) MiriamLB | Apr 24, 2013 | Bravo Zusak! A standing ovation, a mighty opus. You stood Death on her head, removing her dark cloak and scythe, clothing her with feeling and letting us see she has eyes to see and a heart to feel, and the intellect to narrate a compelling story. I was so glad to find out she has a womb. Out of Death comes Life. She has greater aplomb than Nick in telling about Gatsby. The Book Thief captures and again reminds me of these viabilities as they play out near Dachau in the heart of World War II’s Nazi Germany in the lives of Liesel and her contemporaries, alive and dead. Death tells Liesel’s tragic yet wonderful, story in order to keep memory alive. In the words of Elie Wiesel, “Because if we forget, we are guilty, we are accomplices.” And surely this is Liesel’s story, not Death’s just as Gatsby's isn’t Nick’s. To remind us to stand up wherever tyranny and power put people down. Zusak took the time and effort to invest the narrative with near perfect words, and wonderful sentences, and great paragraphs, and superb chapters. It would have been too cruel and ironic if the “book thief” had found herself betrayed by the words, sentences, and paragraphs of her story’s teller. Flesh fully clothes each character; conflict, action, and suspense oblige the attention of each reader; and the themes are true consistent throughout, start to finish, and the setting is hauntingly perfect. I hope because of this book I am closer to bending over and picking up some bread to give to a cipher, even if it puts us both at Death’s door. It is a mighty work. ( ) Hanneri | Apr 24, 2013 | Set just before WW2 in Germany. Liesel is fostered by an older couple after her mother gives her up before she disappears. Liesel’s brother dies on the journey. She steals her first book at his funeral. With her foster parents, Liesel hides jew, Max. She begins to understand Hitler’s atrocities. Together with her friend and next door neighbour Rudy, she steals books from the Mayor’s wife. Her life is torn apart when their street is bombed. An amazing book narrated by Death. Interestingly crafted; there is much back and forth in the story line but it all comes together at the end. ( ) dalzan | Apr 24, 2013 | I didn't get far into this book...like pg. 52. It didn't catch my attention. (  ) melissarochelle | Apr 23, 2013 | One of THE BEST books I have ever read. Seriously. If you have not read this one, yet, do it! But, be sure to have lots of time and tissues because a) you will not want to put it down and b) if you are anything like me, you will bawl your eyes out. The book is historical fiction, told from the point of view of a rather sympathetic Death, and centering on Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. ( ) ReadHanded | Apr 23, 2013 | Wow . . . I knew it would make me cry at some points, but I in no way expected the joy of the literary ride. Mr. Zusak puts words together in the most imaginative groupings. I had to stop a number of times because I could not see through my tears. Tears of sadness, tears of grief, tears of joy. I fell in love with Leisel. I fell in love with Rudy. I fell in love with Hans. I fell in love with Max. After a while, I fell in love with Rosa. With Ilsa. With Leisel all over again. Interesting choice to have Death narrate the story of the nine-year-old girl who steals her first book from the cemetery at her brother's funeral. Because I grew up with Anne Frank's diary, I cannot quite put a book of fiction into the same realm as that iconic book. However, I know that these fictional characters have basis in real people. The facts surrounding the Holocaust and World War II surround these fictional characters. The art is in the story telling and Mr. Zusak proves himself a master at that. ( ) aimless22 | Apr 22, 2013 | In all honesty this book was fantastic. Zusak was able to make the entire setting come to life by not just showing the all of the bad that was happening in the area, but showing the common person trying to savor the good times in their war torn region. Along with this Zusak was able to keep me engrossed the entire time and the pages seem to just fly by. ( ) BPagliaIA | Apr 21, 2013 | I gave this book a 5 star rating. I really enjoyed the book thief and was extremely entertained when reading it. I thought the way the book was written with death being the narrator was very creative and interesting. I loved the plot and context of the story, it taught me a lot about the history and "other side" of Germany and it also entertained me. I got very attached to the characters emotionally, especially Liesel and Rudy. I loved the great detail that the author included and it helped me understand the time and overall plot better! ( ) MohamadD3 | Apr 21, 2013 | I give this book three out of five stars. It was good, but nothing exceptional. I personally feel that this book is overhyped. I was expecting more action from a novel titled "The Book Thief", but the main character, Liesel, only steals a handful of books over the span of four years. This book was very tedious and came very close to being flat out boring, as it moved very slowly. Overall, this book was a good read, albeit slow at times, and containing some over the top metaphors. ( ) MDesaiIA | Apr 21, 2013 | It's always been really hard for me to read a book in a short amount of time while comprehending and enjoying it. I found The Book Thief different than this usual situation. The creative use of the narrator being Death and the relatable/realistic plot made this book a great read. It was set in the time of WWII but I loved how it wasn't just another book about the Holocaust. The perspective of the German family was interesting and one that I had not yet experienced. I would definitely recommend reading this novel! ( ) ABassIA | Apr 21, 2013 | |
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10
Death narrates his involvement in the life of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who is sent across Germany to the safety of a foster family. She has a hard time settling into her new home and community as most children would. The war begins and, for the first half of the book, its effects are fairly innocuous.
Things however, take a turn for the more sinister when a Jew arrives on their doorstep seeking sanctuary. They give it, and thus begins what I thought was the most interesting part of the book. Max Vandenburg hides out in the cellar and, during that time, the bond between him and Liesel is cemented through their shared love of literature and story-making and their fear of what might be. I won’t tell you how this ends.
I will tell you though, what I thought of the book overall. While I enjoyed many parts of it and appreciated that Zusak is obviously an accomplished writer, I couldn’t help but get the feeling that he wanted to make sure I was aware of this. I got this impression both from style and content.
Style-wise, he can’t really sit still. Doffing the hat to magic-realism here and there, his often casual assumption of context leads to clipped sentences you have to piece together in your head. There are illustrated, hand-written stories. There’s a unique section with each part beginning with the throw of a dice. There are little asides from other books and a dictionary. There’s the narration of death which works at times (e.g. the end) but for most of the novel is neither here nor there. It’s all very busy, busy. Perhaps this is necessary when appealing to young-adults these days. If so, my apologies.
But then there’s content. It’s almost as if Zusak had about four novels in his head and didn’t have the patience to write four books, choosing instead to cram them all into 550 or so pages. There’s the story I’ve just mentioned which is a depiction of a coming-of-age and what is in effect first love. There’s the story of a girl’s love of literature and the worlds this opens up for her. There’s the psychological terror of defying a totalitarian regime. On top of this, you’ve got a depiction of WW2 Germany which is just too detailed to really form a backdrop and yet too hastily sketched to be part of the foreground either. Anti-Semitism., Hitler Youth, Nazism’s effect on the common wo/man, society’s struggle to come to terms with pending defeat, families dealing with loss, the mass bombing of civilians, the guilt of survival, etc. etc. All of this clutters what could otherwise have been a very touching and carefully crafted love story between Liesel and Max.
This book is worth a read, nonetheless, but I disagree strongly with USA Today who said that it deserves a place on the shelf with The Diary of Anne Frank. That’s a travesty. Frank’s diary is a league of its own. It’s not just the circumstances under which it was written and eventually published that make the comparison tragic, it’s in the writing too. Unlike Zusak, Frank did not have to cram her work full of literary devices to keep the reader occupied. There’s a simplicity in Frank’s writing which seems foreign to Zusak. In the end, the overblown prose and content of The Book Thief left me unmoved. It made me long for writers who are skilled not only in what they produce but also in what they choose to leave out as well so that the remainder is exquisitely crafted. If he does possesses this ability, Zusak doesn’t demonstrate it here. (