Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

103 reviews

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

malley's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Hate crime, Torture, War, Child death, and Genocide

Moderate: Cursing, Racism, Police brutality, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Death of parent, and Suicide

thedevilnextdoor13's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, War, Violence, Torture, Racism, Hate crime, and Genocide

Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide, Sexual harassment, and Grief

luumii's review against another edition

emotional informative sad tense 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Antisemitism

Minor: Alcohol

buxomfloozy's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

This one will rip your heart out but in such a beautiful way. The author's descriptive language is a major draw in this read. If you haven't read this one, please do. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Child death, Racism, and War

julesadventurezone's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Death of parent, Mental illness, Deportation, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Death, Child death, Sexism, and War

Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Bullying, Medical content, Misogyny, Racism, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, and Physical abuse

kimayoda's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

5.0

i cried over this book, and i wish i could’ve cried more. i’ve read a lot of books set during WWII, but this is the first one that highlights the possible suffering and struggles of germans in that time. personally i wouldn’t consider the book a YA level, because it was traumatic for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, and Racism

marsknows's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

This has to be one of my all-time favourite books - though I usually consume it via Audiobook as the narration is fantastic. 
I often don't go in for sad tales. Still, the artistry and beauty of the writing, characters and emotional vulnerability of this book leaves me feeling all the richer after every read! 
I love the mood and the way the visual atmospheres are painted for you, and will always treasure The Book Theif.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cursing, Racism, Death, War, Violence, and Suicide

kade_s's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Genocide, Grief, War, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Antisemitism, and Hate crime

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Racism, Suicide, Car accident, and Child abuse

Minor: Bullying