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4.46 AVERAGE
4.46 AVERAGE
When I leafed through the pages before reading, I thought "This is going to be a fun book to read". And despited the heavy subject, it is. But I stopped reading half-way. It's not a bad book by any means but it just didn't click with me. It feels like a series of anecdotes, didn't make me curious.
I didn't get the hype. I am sorry. What was this book!!! I mean the idea of narration of the story of a little girl in the backdrop of the WW2 is great, really. But the narration was... Mehhh
First of all-- what were all those little notes coming in between, interrupting the flow? They were so annoying and unnecessary. Why would i be caring about some German words and their dictionary meanings, when a freaking story about a book thief is going on?
Also, I don't think Leisel should be called the book thief. Come on, she didn't steal that many books. Ilsa was practically lending the books to her. Death was just being too dramatic because he/she got bored picking up all those souls during the WW (sarcasm).
The narration was so rugged. Like, one minute i am reading about Mama verbally abusing Leisel, and the next minute a Jew is getting ready for a journey, and the next minute Leisel is playing football. And just when it gets interesting, Death changes the story, and breaks the flow, urging me to just put the book down and never pick it up again. But I couldn't resist picking it up.
There was Papa and Rudy and Max. I was reading it for them.
Also in a bleak corner of my mind, I feel like the author filled this book with over-sentimentality on purpose. It felt like he WANTED us to acknowledge how sad the book was and how well it was written (pretentious much?). But it wasn't. It so wasn't. I nearly put down toward the end of it, because nothing was really happening. Nothing actually happened if you think about it. I mean of course Leisel's world ended one random morning (and so did mine, trust me), but apart from that it was just Saumensch and Saukerl and football and papa and ✨words✨.
But despite these flaws, the book deserves some praise. Most of the characters were well developed, the story was well thought out (except maybe the end). It was great, but too long, and filled with unnecessary details.
So if you have a lot of time on your hand, a tolerance for over-dramatic narrators and want to swim through metaphors and cliches -- go ahead.
First of all-- what were all those little notes coming in between, interrupting the flow? They were so annoying and unnecessary. Why would i be caring about some German words and their dictionary meanings, when a freaking story about a book thief is going on?
Also, I don't think Leisel should be called the book thief. Come on, she didn't steal that many books. Ilsa was practically lending the books to her. Death was just being too dramatic because he/she got bored picking up all those souls during the WW (sarcasm).
The narration was so rugged. Like, one minute i am reading about Mama verbally abusing Leisel, and the next minute a Jew is getting ready for a journey, and the next minute Leisel is playing football. And just when it gets interesting, Death changes the story, and breaks the flow, urging me to just put the book down and never pick it up again. But I couldn't resist picking it up.
There was Papa and Rudy and Max. I was reading it for them.
Also in a bleak corner of my mind, I feel like the author filled this book with over-sentimentality on purpose. It felt like he WANTED us to acknowledge how sad the book was and how well it was written (pretentious much?). But it wasn't. It so wasn't. I nearly put down toward the end of it, because nothing was really happening. Nothing actually happened if you think about it. I mean of course Leisel's world ended one random morning (and so did mine, trust me), but apart from that it was just Saumensch and Saukerl and football and papa and ✨words✨.
But despite these flaws, the book deserves some praise. Most of the characters were well developed, the story was well thought out (except maybe the end). It was great, but too long, and filled with unnecessary details.
So if you have a lot of time on your hand, a tolerance for over-dramatic narrators and want to swim through metaphors and cliches -- go ahead.
This is a beautiful story, warm and touching and very cleverly written. What a joy to read! Marcus Zusak is a brilliant writer.
This book is now in my top 5 favorite books I've ever read.
This book is now in my top 5 favorite books I've ever read.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My biggest mistake is, and will always be, putting this book on hold for so many months. I thought I wouldn't like it, or would become bored after a few chapters, but I was so wrong and I'm so angry because of it??
It was so beautiful, yet so tragic, but in such a comforting way that this book felt like a hug to me and I need everyone to read this book
It was so beautiful, yet so tragic, but in such a comforting way that this book felt like a hug to me and I need everyone to read this book
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sometimes, you pick up a book and simply read the words on the page. Other times, the words seem to read you...and affect you deeply. This book is about life, color, and the people who paint our world. I found myself in tears during the final two chapters. It’s one of those stories where the ending is clear from the beginning, yet so heartbreaking that I couldn’t accept it. It’s been days since I finished reading, but one scene that still haunts me is when Liesel places the accordion beside Hans Hubermann's body. I love how this book made me feel truly connected to the story and its characters. I cherish the themes of selfless love, the simplicity of companionship, survival, and all the other beautiful things I took away from this reading experience.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beautiful book, I know the characters as if they were my neighbors. Deaths perspective added a layer I have never seen in any other book. I hope to remember it often savoring in its rich emotions drawn out by Lieses life.