21st September, 2008
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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Another book on the Holocaust. The last book I read which was set during the same time was The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. Such books are always sad and get the readers all worked up with all its horror and misery. Makes you relieved that you didn’t have to go through all of it.
I was sobbing away while reading the ending of The Book Thief. Yes, this book has that effect on you especially if you’re an emotional kind of person. I don’t wish to reveal the ending but I’ll tell you the beginning.
This book received a lot of attention and praises that I had really high expectations from it. However, the first 50 or 60 pages didn’t impress me much. I wasn’t used to the odd, short paragraphs and short sentences. But as I went on, the reading became enjoyable and I found myself lost in the Liesel’s story.
As most of us who have already read or have an idea on what the book’s about, the narrator is Death. Death? Sounds frightening and morbid, don’t you think? Actually, it’s anything but that. Death sounds kind of melancholic and it’s (or he???) obsessed with talking about colours. I did not care about the colours though. Also, it’s not a totally depressing book. There are parts that can make you laugh too. Seriously, Death can also joke.
Okay, so I read about Liesel’s story. She’s the book thief because she steals books so she can read them later. While travelling to Munich with her mother and brother on a train, her brother dies. He was only six. Liesel would be sent to live with foster parents at Himmel Street. That was in 1939. She does not meet her mother again.
Liesel’s foster parents are Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Hans is a really cool and kind foster father. The total opposite of his loud-mouthed, cursing wife, Rosa. Because of his caring and calm nature, Liesel warms up to him. He comforts her when she wakes up from recurring nightmares of her dead brother and he teaches her to read after those nightmares. He’s like the father she never had.
Oh, I have no idea where or who or what her father is. He’s deemed as “missing”. Was he a Jew or a German? Why was he missing? I assume that Liesel’s mom’s a Jew because Liesel overheard Hans and Rosa talking about what “they” might have done to her? Well, if Liesel’s mom was taken away, how come Liesel’s safe? I think I had better read up more on my history. Perhaps there are exceptions for kids? Hmmmm….. (ETA: I just found out that Liesel’s parents were Communists!)
Anyway, Liesel makes new friends with the kids from her neighbourhood, particularly with her neighbour, Rudy Steiner, who obviously likes Liesel a lot and is always asking her for a kiss whenever the opportunity seems right. Rudy and Liesel become best friends and they always go on stealing sprees together.
I guess my favourite character in the book would be Max Vandenburg. He’s a Jew and with the Hubermanns’ help and permission, he hides in their basement. He feels sorry for putting them to so much trouble but they can’t turn away a man whose father once saved Hans’ life. The sub-chapter, “Liesel’s Lecture”, was an emotional one. It’s where Hans tries to make Liesel understand the danger of spilling out an absolutely dangerous secret, which will ultimately cause unpleasant events.
Liesel and Max, they too become friends. Liesel would find newspapers for him to read and do crossword puzzles. They would sit together in the basement, each doing their own reading. They share a strong bond and you could feel Liesel’s sadness and sorrow when they’re separated later.
All in all, it’s a riveting and keeps you glued to the pages kind of book. It does not have a strong introduction but if you keep on reading, you won’t regret it. Of course, I assume that you’ll keep on reading to find out what happens to all the characters. Read the book and I hope you’ll like it like I do.
Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Nymeth, Laura, Leah, Kristine, Reading Monk, Rimi, Natasha, Alessandra
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Posted in Authors Z, Historical Fiction, Titles B, Young Adult Fiction at 11:10 pm |
21 Comments
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On September 22, 2008 at 12:52 am Nymeth said:
Lovely review. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. It made me cry, too.
And thank you for leaving me your link. I’ve been going through my archives and editing old posts to include links for other reviews, and I’ll be sure to keep yours in mind when I get to The Book Thief.
On September 22, 2008 at 12:53 am Nymeth said:
Eek, sorry about the double comment. It gave me an error the first time and I thought it hadn’t posted.
On September 22, 2008 at 12:55 am Laura said:
Death as a narrator surprised me as well. I was expecting the entire book to be really dark and depressing, but like you said, Death can even joke! This is such a memorable book for many different reasons. And Max was one of my favorite characters as well. Great review!
On September 22, 2008 at 1:48 am Leah said:
Hi Josette, lovely review of a lovely book. I cried buckets at the end. Thanks for dropping by my site too. I like the style of your blog.
On September 22, 2008 at 7:41 am Kristine said:
Thanks for commenting on my blog, and for linking your review of the book. I also sobbed at the end. It is a powerful read.
On September 22, 2008 at 4:24 pm Alice Teh said:
Hi Josette, great review! I read this some months back and sobbed so much. One of the best reads for me in 2008.
On September 22, 2008 at 8:01 pm Marg said:
Great review of a great book!
On September 23, 2008 at 7:05 am Reading Monk said:
Thanks for the comment on my review. Glad you finally read it, Josette. You’ve also written a wonderful review. Will you read the Messenger book next? (Mine’s still on the shelf at the moment)
On September 23, 2008 at 12:55 pm Josette said:
Nymeth: Thanks! Yeah, something’s wrong with this comment function, I gotta figure out how to make it work perfectly.
Laura: This book is certainly different. What other books have Death as the narrator? None that I’ve heard of so far…
Leah: Thank you. Haha! I didn’t cry buckets though, just droplets.
Kristine: Thanks for coming here too. I agree with you, it’s powerful. Really unlike others.
Alice: Hi, thank you. Yes, it’s also one of the best books I’ve read this year so far. 2008’s not over yet though.
Marg: Thank you very much.
Reading Monk: No prob, your review was great. Yes, I’ll be sure to get a copy of the Messenger book when my pocket’s filled with cash.
On September 24, 2008 at 3:33 am Rimi B. Chatterjee said:
Hi Josette, thanks for the comment. Glad you liked the book as much as I did. Great site; I’m now browsing through your other stuff. Keep reading!
On September 24, 2008 at 2:01 pm Becky said:
Just stumbled into your blog and wanted to comment about,”The Book Theif.” Although I haven’t read it, just by looking at the review, I can tell that I would really love it. Thanks for posting your review. I love staying on top of the best books- I really enjoy reading. Just finished reading “Letter’s Between Us,” by Linda Overman- which I was able to preread before it’s October 6th release date- Yes I was excited! “The Book Theif” is going to be my next read- I am going to go to the library tomorrow to see if I can check it out.
On September 24, 2008 at 2:28 pm Natasha @ Maw Books said:
I loved this book! Then again, I have this weird fetish and like most all books that take place during the Holocaust. Great review.
On September 28, 2008 at 3:14 am CB James said:
Found you through the blog-hopping challenge. I enjoyed checking out your site.
I also give two thumbs up to The Book Thief. WOnderful stuff.
On September 28, 2008 at 11:40 pm Josette said:
Rimi: Hi, enjoy yourself here! You keep on reading too.
Becky: Oh you gotta read this one as soon as possible! It’s that good. Letters Between Us sounds interesting…will find out more about it. Thanks.
Natasha: I like to read books set during the Holocaust too because I want to learn more about it. It was a sad time for everyone and the events that happened at that time just intrigue me.
CB James: Thanks for dropping by. I’m glad you liked The Book Thief too!
On September 29, 2008 at 10:41 am Lauren said:
Ohh I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while. Everyone keeps reviewing it on blogs yet I haven’t had a chance to read it yet
On September 29, 2008 at 8:12 pm Josette said:
Lauren: Hi Lauren,
oh yeah, you have to read this when you can. Certainly not a book to pass! It’s very, very good…you will be so caught up in the story, wanting to know what’s next. That’s how it was for me.
On October 11, 2008 at 12:08 pm Saturday Review of Books: September 20, 2008 at Semicolon said:
[...] 83. Becky (Road of Lost Innocence)84. Becky (Identical)85. Becky (Wishing Traditions)86. Becky (Mysteries of Udolpho)87. Becky (I Can Save the Earth/Polar Bear’s Home)88. Becky (Our Library)89. Becky (Be Gentle With The Dog, Dear)90. Becky (Cousin Kate)91. Conjunction Junction Diner (The Castle in the Attic)92. Marie DeVries( Do Hard Things)93. Natalie (Everything on a Waffle)94. Sam Houston (Not in the Flesh)95. Mindy Withrow (Pearl by Mary Gordon)96. unfinishedperson (Amish Grace )97. Lori (Memoir - Thanks to My Mother)98. Lori (Does the Soul Survive?)99. Literary Feline (OUT)100. Blacklin(Harvest)101. Girl Detective (Undiscovered Country)102. Black Diamond Detective Agency103. ChristineMM aka The Thinking Mother (The Way I See It)104. Jennifer (The Red Tent)105. Jennifer (Burned)106. Jennifer (Skinny Dip)107. Jennifer (Terra Infirma)108. Lynne (The Myth of You and Me)109. Lynne (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)110. Lynne (Island of Lost Girls)111. Lynne (Ask Again Later)112. Lynne (Lost & Found)113. Lynne (If I Am Missing or Dead)114. Lynne (The Year of Fog)115. Shonda (Sweet Love)116. Chris@bookarama (Hooked On Murder)117. Chris@bookarama (The Gargoyle)118. Carey (Nox Dormienda)119. Kate (On Chesil Beach)120. Kate (Romancing Mister Bridgerton)121. Josette (The Book Thief) [...]
On October 28, 2008 at 11:57 pm drey said:
Josette -
Lovely review. I read The Book Thief when it first came out, and cried buckets. & yes, Death has a sense of humor…
I found your blog while hopping around, and am anticipating reading the rest of your reviews. =) I, myself am a voracious reader, but have never found the words to put together a review. Guess while I’m good at inhaling words, I’m not quite as talented at sharing them.
drey
On October 31, 2008 at 7:03 pm Josette said:
drey: Hi Drey, thanks for coming by my blog!
Why not start your own book review blog? I’d love to visit it and read your thoughts on books you read.
On November 6, 2008 at 5:34 am Zeek said:
I loved this story- but you’re right it did take a bit to get used to the prose!
On November 6, 2008 at 10:22 pm Josette said:
Zeek: Good to know that you like it too. Well, getting used to the prose was part of the fun of reading the book!