The Book Thief is a book told by Death, who narrates the story of Liesel Meminger between the years of 1939 – 1943. The story begins with a death, the death of Liesel’s six year old brother on the train ride to Molching, Germany – or more specifically, a street by the name of Himmel to be handed over to her new foster parents, Rosa and Hans Hubermannn. On the train ride, her brother dies and her life as the book thief accidently begins – one of the grave diggers drops a book – she picks it up and learns to love and hate the power of words.
The war touches Liesel throughout her life on Himmel Street. In the four years, she is given everything, a loving family, friends – and watches it all taken away. From her kindly foster father, who sits with her through her nightmares and teaches her to read, to her best friend (love), Rudy, Liesel’s life becomes intertwined with so many on Himmel Street. She is touched by the Jewish holocaust when her foster father secretly houses a young Jewish man to repay a debt and then later crushed when her city is reduced to ruins during the allied bombing. Yet all the while, there are books. In each book Liesel liberates, she finds new strength. Though, it is in two books that she is given that she finds hope.
Technically, I was a little dubious of how the story was set. But Zuska’s book presents Death as not just an outside narrator, but as an individual affected by this particular war – both in the ability for it to bring out the best and the worst in people. And as a way of moving the book forward, and telling the story, I found that it really worked, especially as the book foreshadows many of the tragic events that occur later in the war.
But did I like it? Yes, but I would not likely read it again. When I started reading this book, I devoured it over the span of a couple hours. I simply couldn’t stop reading it till it was done. Even though the narrator foreshadows the ending, I couldn’t stop reading the story about the little girl’s life in Germany. This story touched me in a way that few others have, and I would highly recommend it.
Terry emailed me the following addition to his review. I thought it might contain spoilers, but he assured me that everything mentioned in the next paragraph happens in the first 20 pages.
I wanted to talk about Liesel and Rudy more because the undercurrent of them growing up to finally sharing a first and last kiss is one of the important parts of the book. It was also the end of these two that made me tear up at the end and visited me in my dreams last night. He was the boy that wanted to be like Jesse Owens (and paints himself black with chalk early in the book) but finds out early that there isn’t a place in Hitler’s Germany for anyone but those with safe blue eyes and lemon blonde hair.
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (2006)
Kathleen Mitchell Award (2006)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2007)
Book Sense Book of the Year (2007.4 Children’s Literature Winner, 2007)
Printz Honor (2007)
Sydney Taylor Book Award (2007)
Exclusive Books Boeke Prize (2007)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2006)
Whitcoulls top 100, 2008 (81)
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Without a doubt, this has been my most incredible read of 2009 thus far.
I'm going to be hosting a discussion about it next month, and would love it if you wanted to stop by and contribute your thoughts. I'll provide some prompts to get people talking if need be, but mostly, I'd just love to get as many people who have read it as possible to engage with others about what really drew them in about this work. I hope to see you there!
A lot of people I know read this and really didn't like it, so for a long while I have been put off by it, but your husband's review has changed my mind. I like the sound of it. I think it is very unique to be written from Death's point of view.
This is one of my all-time favorite books. I'm actually re-reading it right now for my upcoming book club meeting!
I absolutely loved this book. It's one of my favorites. Great review, Terry. I think you hit the nail on the head with the mention of innocence. Those kinds of stories get me every time.
Would it be okay to link to this review on War Through the Generations?
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I was so lucky to get to meet Markus and chat with him about this book! He also signed it for me, and it is one of my treasures
Really with all the reviews there have been on this book, this is one of the best ones I've seen!
Excellent review Terry! I read this book a few years ago and then last year with my book club. I agree with you that Death as a narator was presented as an individual, a character as part of the story. That is what makes this books so powerful and unique. It's these types of books that we need to read so as not to forget the lost innocence that the holocaust stole from our world and so that it will never happen again. This is a book that I feel everyone should read. It is considered Young Adult and I know that many high schools are reading it in English classes.
My husband listened to the book last year on audiobook and he said that it was one of the best audiobooks that he has listened to. The story alone was so powerful and the narrator of the audiobook used different voices for each character to make the story that much richer. So, listening to this book is another way to experience the power of the story.
I bought this on Buy Indie Day but haven't read it yet. It sounds fascinating.
I hope to get to this one sometime before the year is out. I appreciate your thoughts on it, Terry!
Ok, awesome review. Now, I think I actually want to read it. I've been on the fence about it.
I was surprised some weeks ago to find that my mom has just finished it. It was not her typical read, just as it was not Terry's. When someone steps out of their comfort zone, as these two people did, as love a book as much as they did, makes me want to get my hands on it. Now.
Lisa
Excellent review! I have been trying to get my book club to read this book, but I may have to read it myself one of these days without them!
"Jacob's Courage" (Mazo Publishers) is a tender coming of age love story of two young adults living in Salzburg at the time when the Nazi war machine enters Austria. This historical novel presents accurate scenes and situations of Jews in ghettos and concentration camps, with particular attention to Theresienstadt and Auschwitz. It explores the dazzling beauty of passionate love and enduring bravery in a lurid world where the innocent are brutally murdered. From desperate despair, to unforgettable moments of chaste beauty, Jacob’s Courage examines a constellation of emotions during a time of incomprehensible brutality.
I've actually reread it a number of times since first reading it almost two years ago and each time I find another small point that makes me feel as though I'm reading it for the first time. I know there are many people who don't like the book or its style but I still need to recommend it as often as I can.
PLEASE COME BY…I HAVE A BRAND NEW AWARD FOR YOU!
I read this book and really liked it. I pln to read it again over summer. Excellent review
What a great review. I missed reading this with my book club this May. They loved it, and raved about it. I hope to read it soon.
I really enjoyed this book when I read it last year. I've added your wonderful review to the list here: http://www.savvyverseandwit.com/2008/07/more-than-stolen-books.html
Wonderful guest review! Are you sure you don't want a regular spot? I've been hearing nothing but raves about this book … it is on the list already. Great job!
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