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butchlesbian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
4.5
grace_ml's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
alyh2000's review against another edition
3.0
I found it very difficult to really get into this book. I found the narration to be very disjointed, which truly effected my enjoyment of it. In general, I enjoyed the storyline.
anglerfishinariver's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Book Thief is a tragic read about the power of words and the quantification of suffering and death.
The author does an excellent job at breathing life into his characters and settings. It all feels real, from the period-typical neighborhood to the different people we meet. My personal favorite was Rudy, who I think represented childish joy in such a perfect way.
I also really loved the narration style and how the author portrayed death in a slightly snarky but also peaceful, soft, and loving way. There were so many symbolisms and metaphors in this book. My favorite were the ones that represented how war victims are oftwn thought of as numbers instead of people, which was one of the major topics of the book, as stated above.
All the characters (with the exception of Frau Diller obviously), though flawed, were super lovable, though it took some time with Rosa and Frau Holtzapfel.
I cried during the last chapter and the epilogue.
The author does an excellent job at breathing life into his characters and settings. It all feels real, from the period-typical neighborhood to the different people we meet. My personal favorite was Rudy, who I think represented childish joy in such a perfect way.
I also really loved the narration style and how the author portrayed death in a slightly snarky but also peaceful, soft, and loving way. There were so many symbolisms and metaphors in this book. My favorite were the ones that represented how war victims are oftwn thought of as numbers instead of people, which was one of the major topics of the book, as stated above.
All the characters (with the exception of Frau Diller obviously), though flawed, were super lovable, though it took some time with Rosa and Frau Holtzapfel.
I cried during the last chapter and the epilogue.
luanvd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
alghesny's review against another edition
4.0
It's 3.5/5 for me .. I hated some parts and cherished others, It's brilliant tho .. it is, I guess I'll have to wait and see how I'll look back to it
palapeli's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
soapsoapsoap's review against another edition
4.0
So I cried, and if I show any emotion a book is automatically a 4* or higher, no matter the content or substantiality of said book. Not only is this an emotional book, it’s a book about normal civilian lives of WWII and the daily horrors inflicted. Despite my tears, this book did have some flaws, notably: the writing style was jilted at points (something noted heavily throughout my annotations), Death spoiled everything for us, and sometimes I just didn’t feel connected to anything, I mean I even forgot there was a war going on for AT LEAST 50% of this book.
I truly don’t think I can dedicate a whole paragraph to summarize this book, so I’ll just settle for a sentence or two. Orphaned Liesel goes to stay with a poor German family (the Hubermanns) when they take in a Jew as well. Thus begins a saga of survival, theft, and living in Nazi Germany as an ostracized family with an ostracized person living in your basement.
I have SO MANY conflicting thoughts about this. On one hand, it’s like… can we get to the point please? Some of the characters I felt super connected to (Rudy, Mama, Ilsa) and some of them just… fell flat. And yes, Death spoiled everything. On the other hand… this book is hauntingly beautiful, masterfully crafted (at points), and a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by everyday citizens and the government, that the Nazi party needed a foothold to reach where it went, and that the citizens provided that foothold.
Bottom line: I honestly don’t know what I think about this book, but the good outweighs the bad so… yay?
I truly don’t think I can dedicate a whole paragraph to summarize this book, so I’ll just settle for a sentence or two. Orphaned Liesel goes to stay with a poor German family (the Hubermanns) when they take in a Jew as well. Thus begins a saga of survival, theft, and living in Nazi Germany as an ostracized family with an ostracized person living in your basement.
I have SO MANY conflicting thoughts about this. On one hand, it’s like… can we get to the point please? Some of the characters I felt super connected to (Rudy, Mama, Ilsa) and some of them just… fell flat. And yes, Death spoiled everything. On the other hand… this book is hauntingly beautiful, masterfully crafted (at points), and a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by everyday citizens and the government, that the Nazi party needed a foothold to reach where it went, and that the citizens provided that foothold.
Bottom line: I honestly don’t know what I think about this book, but the good outweighs the bad so… yay?
starrywonder's review against another edition
4.0
Such a Unique Story, Love the Dual Narration
If you like historical fiction this book is for you. I always find it fascinating to read stories about what life could be like during different parts of history.
Switching between Liesel and Death as narrators made for a really compelling story. Death is so honest in his unfortunate task, you feel bad for what he must endure.
Liesel, while she had such a hard life makes you want to keep reading. And everyone should want a papa like Hans.
If you like historical fiction this book is for you. I always find it fascinating to read stories about what life could be like during different parts of history.
Switching between Liesel and Death as narrators made for a really compelling story. Death is so honest in his unfortunate task, you feel bad for what he must endure.
Liesel, while she had such a hard life makes you want to keep reading. And everyone should want a papa like Hans.