Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

101 reviews

w0rmonastring's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

0.75

this self-important train wreck is undeserving of the esteemed critical acclaim it has earned. it fails to tell an important story while trying to approach one of the most sensitive subjects in human history with an immature sense of snark. there is very little narrative flow, and what good episodes the author is able to construct are shoved in your face repeatedly as the author spoils his own story, and makes bolded and centered announcements proclaiming his "point" (as if you haven't already read it). don't waste your time re-reading this like I did.

the best quote of the entire novel comes when the perspective is shifted away from the pathetic image of "Death" that zusak puts forth:
"I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Child death, Police brutality, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Violence, War, Racism, Death, Genocide, and Grief

seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, War, Cursing, Racism, Death, Toxic friendship, Grief, Genocide, and Violence

a_d_maillet's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Death of parent, Genocide, Slavery, War, Child death, Death, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Grief

erinreadsslow's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Hate crime, Genocide, Racism, Suicide, War, Death of parent, and Murder

angelo_garcia's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, War, and Antisemitism

Moderate: Cursing, Suicide, Blood, Genocide, Grief, and Racism

gabym's review against another edition

dark emotional funny inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book has been making me cry since the 10th grade

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Death, and Child death

Moderate: Genocide and Racism

jg34's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Sorry I can’t write a review yet bc I’m still crying my eyes out 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Racism, Police brutality, Death, Confinement, Genocide, Antisemitism, Blood, Violence, Racial slurs, and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Suicide, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Car accident

A boo set in nazi germany during WWII that does not shy from details

achay91's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Racism, War, Violence, Genocide, Religious bigotry, and Death

Moderate: Suicide and Police brutality

romy_elizabeth13's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Okay okay. I know what you’re thinking. It’s just another war book. And here my friend, is where you are entirely wrong. The Book Thief is one of the most beautifully written, emotional, compelling and sad books I have ever read. It’s not a short read but it flies by and soon enough you’ll find yourself at the end. The book follows Liesel Meminger (hope I spelled that correctly), a young girl who steals books. But not in a fake, annoying, trying-to-be-a-good-book way. After her brothers death, she is taken to stay with Hans and Rosa Hubberman (again hope I spelled that right, apologies) on Himmel Street. It takes a while to get used to but soon enough she has all her random adventures, including several with a boy named Rudy Steiner who you are almost guaranteed to love. But the plot only gets darker and darker and at the end you will be sobbing on the floor. Important note: this book is narrated by Death. You can already tell it’s going to be amazing. When I was recommended this, I was skeptical at first, questioning if this was going to be another try hard book. But once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. It’s so sad, so gorgeous, so compelling, so sad. 5/5 rating, 100% worth the read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, War, Grief, Child death, and Racism

Moderate: Vomit

scarlettrogue's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Physical abuse, and Racism

Moderate: Sexism, Suicide, War, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs