Reviews

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

scarls's review against another edition

5.0

This book breaks me every time i read it. I know it’s coming, death tells you from the beginning what is coming but this book hurts my soul. I really enjoyed listening to it because I read too fast and don’t take in the actual words. This book is beautiful and i need everyone i know to read it and understand how beautifully heart breaking it is.

wdixon's review against another edition

5.0

Wow, wow, wow!! The ending of this book brought me to actual tears.

sancakes's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? No

5.0

laeticiaz's review against another edition

5.0

one of the first books that got me into reading (apart from diary of a wimpy kid)

mariekevdam's review against another edition

3.0

I liked the book. I didn't love it though, as I see so many people do. I was hesitating about reading this book since it is about World War 2. Again. What new perspective could this give?

But the book surprised me, in it's form and tone. It is fresh, different, young, a bit quirky. And that's also what I didn't like. It distracted me from the story.

When deciding how to rate the book, I couldn't make up my mind. I switched back and forth between 3 and 4 stars. I ended up with 3 because too me the form got in the way of the story.

alisarae's review against another edition

5.0

2022: Still so bittersweet and moving. The characters are incredible and lifelike. I love them.

2014: Love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love! Every part of it is so, so good. Plot, characters, writing, narration, themes, development...all are perfect. I laughed, cried, dreamed, and wondered. I will definitely, like Liesel Meminger did with her books, read this over and over again.

PS I listened to this as an audiobook and the narrator did a stellar job.

frzncmbstn'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

alex_olive's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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? No

4.0

If I ever see a list of ‘What books would you recommend’, The Book Thief is on it.

I chose to read this because of the hype, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s written well, it tells a touching story and the cast of characters feel so real there were times I wondered if this was based on real people. I felt that some of the narrative was spoiled by the authors choices, and that dampened the emotional punch for me.

Zusak explores an important topic in such a clever way, so much so that I’d say this book is a must for anyone with an interest in the World Wars.

emailloux5's review against another edition

3.0

Actual rating: 3.5 stars!

sarahs2real's review against another edition

5.0

Sobbing, crying, throwing up. This book had me in a chokehold and I'm so sad it has finally ended