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4.46 AVERAGE
4.46 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
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
One of the most beautiful and sad books ever written. The movie is good, but the book is definitely better!
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
FINALLY, I'VE FINISHED IT. The first historical fiction book I've ever read.
- Featuring your favorite character: DEATH
- Liesel is basically ALL OF US, means fond of books
- Hans Hubberman = amazing dad
- Nazi Germany
- Saumensch and Saukerl
- Max Vanderburg, The Jewish
- "the lemon hair" boy, Rudy Steiner
I like it a lot. It's very-well written, and unique. Liesel Meminger is one of my favorite book-character ever.
[b:The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522157426l/19063._SY75_.jpg|878368] is a pure joy, there's a beauty in every words. I already watched the movie and then I read the book, I LIKE BOTH.
4.5
I am glad I read this now and not when I was in high school because I would not have appreciated it then.
An absolutely remarkable and heartbreaking work of art, but you already knew that.
The amount of love radiating from Himmel Street, even amidst the tragedies of war, was an extremely well written undertone throughout the story. I felt very connected to pretty much every character, which is a compliment to Markus Zusak’s writing.
I wanted the best for everyone in this story and to be honest, I feel like it was delivered in a much different way than expected. With the exception of Liesel of course, but even her ending was one that I felt good about.
I shed many a tear in the last 15% of this book, but that’s how these well written historical fiction books always hit me.
p.s. shoutout Alex for letting me borrow his copy from 9th grade honors english
I am glad I read this now and not when I was in high school because I would not have appreciated it then.
An absolutely remarkable and heartbreaking work of art, but you already knew that.
The amount of love radiating from Himmel Street, even amidst the tragedies of war, was an extremely well written undertone throughout the story. I felt very connected to pretty much every character, which is a compliment to Markus Zusak’s writing.
I wanted the best for everyone in this story and to be honest, I feel like it was delivered in a much different way than expected. With the exception of Liesel of course, but even her ending was one that I felt good about.
I shed many a tear in the last 15% of this book, but that’s how these well written historical fiction books always hit me.
p.s. shoutout Alex for letting me borrow his copy from 9th grade honors english
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, War
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I am haunted by humans said Death. Death as a narrator is interesting. Capable of both immense cruelty and incredible kindness human life perhaps perplexes this omnipresen character. He reflects on the profound impact the lives he's witnessed, particularly Liesel's, have had on him, even as an immortal being.
I always think of Terry Pratchett Death when Death appears in stories.
The books also become integral characters in this story.
A beautiful view of how people survive adversity. The small acts that make a difference in life & the people who make an impact. Do not judge people too quickly. You come to love the stern mamma despite her seeming to be an unlovable woman.
Death passes over everyone & more often than not those lifes pass with only a small mark left but this life made an impact. Liesel made an impact. She was one of the few souls that made him wonder what it would be like to live.
The whole story highlights the juxtaposition of human life. The beauty & creativity, love, friendship & kindness which exists in the same place that great evil acts are perpetuated by people who instead of acting with kindness instead create division & hatred. War is such a waste. No matter what side you are on death meets all.
I will also give credit to the dual nature of words—how they can be used for kindness and connection, but also for violence and manipulation. The Nazi used words so cleverly in their propoganda. They talked about national pride, unity etc but really that just covered up racism & hatred. Was it just a war built on words though ? Ideology & Nationalism play a huge role in that propaganda, more perhaps than just words ... 🤷♀️
All that aside the movie is infinitely better than the book. The book is a slog. Some sections seemed really over written & drawn out just for the sake of prose. Did the author think ooops here comes a literary prize ?
Also the author doesnt really focus on the jews other than the character of max. What we do see is how this war affected ordinary poor germans.
They dont despise the Jews. In fact they probably sympathise with them... just not enough to speak up. Afraid of becoming the target. A bit like the kids at school who keep their heads down when the bully is picking on someone, just glad its someone else but afraid to stand up to the bully.
Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.
These people are that fraction of the German population who do sympathize with the Jews. They even harbour a Jewish man in their home and come to love him. The thing is though that for most of the novel, they’re not the good guys either. They don’t speak up for the Jewish people, they don’t try to change popular opinion, they don’t stand for what’s right. They quietly try to get by without causing waves and without risking much of themselves.
Is that human nature ?
Evil does not require active participation from many; the complacency or indifference of good people is often enough for it to gain a foothold and succeed.
I am really fundamentally not a WW2 book fan and this felt like it was over hyped for me. Sure its sad & sure its inspiring but I felt like I was at college reading a required read. The middle section felt really drawn out & there isnt actually much happening 🤷♀️.
Sometimes the narrators voice became a little condescending which was also irritating. Not a total bust because I found the film which isnt quite as boring as the book & actually has a lovely feel to it. I would still rather watch Star Wars Empire Strikes Back 🤣👏❤️
I always think of Terry Pratchett Death when Death appears in stories.
The books also become integral characters in this story.
A beautiful view of how people survive adversity. The small acts that make a difference in life & the people who make an impact. Do not judge people too quickly. You come to love the stern mamma despite her seeming to be an unlovable woman.
Death passes over everyone & more often than not those lifes pass with only a small mark left but this life made an impact. Liesel made an impact. She was one of the few souls that made him wonder what it would be like to live.
The whole story highlights the juxtaposition of human life. The beauty & creativity, love, friendship & kindness which exists in the same place that great evil acts are perpetuated by people who instead of acting with kindness instead create division & hatred. War is such a waste. No matter what side you are on death meets all.
I will also give credit to the dual nature of words—how they can be used for kindness and connection, but also for violence and manipulation. The Nazi used words so cleverly in their propoganda. They talked about national pride, unity etc but really that just covered up racism & hatred. Was it just a war built on words though ? Ideology & Nationalism play a huge role in that propaganda, more perhaps than just words ... 🤷♀️
All that aside the movie is infinitely better than the book. The book is a slog. Some sections seemed really over written & drawn out just for the sake of prose. Did the author think ooops here comes a literary prize ?
Also the author doesnt really focus on the jews other than the character of max. What we do see is how this war affected ordinary poor germans.
They dont despise the Jews. In fact they probably sympathise with them... just not enough to speak up. Afraid of becoming the target. A bit like the kids at school who keep their heads down when the bully is picking on someone, just glad its someone else but afraid to stand up to the bully.
Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.
These people are that fraction of the German population who do sympathize with the Jews. They even harbour a Jewish man in their home and come to love him. The thing is though that for most of the novel, they’re not the good guys either. They don’t speak up for the Jewish people, they don’t try to change popular opinion, they don’t stand for what’s right. They quietly try to get by without causing waves and without risking much of themselves.
Is that human nature ?
Evil does not require active participation from many; the complacency or indifference of good people is often enough for it to gain a foothold and succeed.
I am really fundamentally not a WW2 book fan and this felt like it was over hyped for me. Sure its sad & sure its inspiring but I felt like I was at college reading a required read. The middle section felt really drawn out & there isnt actually much happening 🤷♀️.
Sometimes the narrators voice became a little condescending which was also irritating. Not a total bust because I found the film which isnt quite as boring as the book & actually has a lovely feel to it. I would still rather watch Star Wars Empire Strikes Back 🤣👏❤️
This book actually killed me. I loved the writing style, especially since death was the narrator. It was perfectly paced with perfectly rendered characters and perfectly realized themes. Easily my favorite book on this subject.