Reviews

Die Bücherdiebin by Markus Zusak

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sophiaknudsen's review against another edition

4.0

Warning: End is extremely sad, as TV would say, "Reader Discretion Advised"! Everything else in the book was excellent, but, sadly, very realistic as of the 1940's in Germany. If you know how to speak German, this book will have parts that will crack you up. It was a good book overall, just not the ending- it was TOO realistic and horrible, that it took away from the book's witty and fun elements.

jestareader's review against another edition

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4.0

Before I picked up the book I immediately loved it. 5/5 stars before I read a single word.

When I started it, I was thrown off by Death narrating and wasn't a huge fan. Sure, it was different and fun but I just became annoyed by the constant interruptions. It seemed like they were trying too hard to be clever. 4/5 stars.

2/3 ish to halfway through I still enjoyed it but not as much as I was expecting. It wasn't reaching my expectations (which in the book's defence were probably way too high from years of wanting to read this book and the expectations continually rising). 3/5 stars.

BUT WAIT ... what's this ... The book picked up a good chunk before the end. Shit was going down, I was being thrown around. The star ratings were slowly rising. 3/5 ... 4/5 ... 4.5/5 ... and now 5/5 because of that dang ending. I don't know if the rating is entirely fair because obviously, my opinion of the book fluctuated a little as I read and I may be biased because I just finished it and the ending hit me hard but DAMNNNNNnnn!

This book is a good book. I started really enjoying Death's little blurbs, they were quick and to the point. I fell in love with Hans, Max, and even Rosa. Rudy I was iffy about but he wiggled his way into my heart just the same as everyone else. Liesel I feel I didn't get to know as well, unfortunately. I still connected with her but not as much as I would have liked. I definitely was more intrigued by those around her than by the Book Thief herself.

I don't think saying the following is a spoiler because even before picking up this WWII novel you'd expect this reaction so I'll just say it. I cried. I haven't cried for a book in a while, I mean I have had watery eyes recently but the tears came out for this one. I was in class when I finished and all I wanted to do was run somewhere quiet and let it all come out, but alas it was not meant to be. I would have to look up from the book, think about what I just read, then I would start reading again and a whole new wave of tears would come. It was a lot ...

After reading the book in its entirety I totally get why people love it because I now love it. I love the drawings (they were a particular favourite), I loved the characters, I loved the story!

Read it. You'll get used to Death's narration. You'll fall in the love with the characters. And you will cry.

(Update Jan 20, 2018). Now that I feel I have recovered a bit from the end I am bringing the rating down to 4 stars because even though the end was brilliant, there were parts I didn't love as much.

alfie_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

So wonderfully sad and poignant. Truly a book for the ages.

bersan's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

carrieannweb's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.75

andyxcds's review against another edition

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5.0

Well fuck me.
spoilers

in my opinion the hype this book recieved did not make sense when i read but oh boy was the book good.

i absolutely adored that we didn't know our narrator was death itself and he claims we humans haunt him and he is tired and heck! that makes sense!!

i needed Rudy and Liesel to kiss before his death. it is absolutely unfair that they died so young. and even alex Steiner my heart aches for him

memorable read for sure