Reviews

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

burkeester's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring 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

4.5

milicavujovic's review against another edition

5.0

Yes, this book broke my heart. I grew so fond of the characters, I loved them and cried for them. It was also a history lesson for me. The only thing that bothered me is the way the book was written, like the way it spoils you in the middle of a beautiful moment??? Or those sticky notes all the time, the weird way how death is described… it was a no for me, so it was hard for me to decide was it a 4 star or a 5 star read. Let’s say 4.5.

reangelic's review against another edition

4.0

Such a beautifully written book. I’d say the only thing I was complaining about was the length of it as I had energy to read many books but I was stuck on this one, which, looking back at it now, wasn’t really bad. I will miss all of the characters and the beautiful writing style. While reading I was thinking “this isn’t the best book I read, but it’s really good” which I wasn’t expecting to think when I first started it as I usually get really bored reading historical fiction books. I think it’s amazing now, not just good. The ending left me empty and heartbroken and spoiler⚠️ the fact they’re all dead makes me miss them even more. Rudy, papa, mama, Frau Holtzapfel; I loved them all sm. The characters were so beautifully written and they were lovable. The love Leslie has for books and the way it is described is amazing and made me reread certain lines again and again. I love this book sm!!

sam_hartwig's review against another edition

2.0

I didn't really like this book but I really thought I would! I think maybe I wasn't in the right mood for it. I found it hard to get into and it wasn't until the middle when it started to get interesting for me. I was a bit disappointed by the ending and it didn't get any tears from me. Don't let me sway you though because so many people I know have really enjoyed it, it just wasn't one for me.

pi_r4t_e's review against another edition

3.0

Dnf’ed, felt like it was dragging on and on, so many different character introductions and I had no clue where the story was intending to go to

ultimatekate's review against another edition

4.0

This book was really moving, and I might recommend it to my students next year when we discuss Holocaust Literature. A book narrated by death? Hand it over!

mkl079's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

laurahappily's review against another edition

5.0

I didn't realize how much I liked this book until I finished. It isn't exactly an enjoyable book, but it is amazing, fantastic, and oh so beautiful. The devastation this book is able to convey is incredible. I feel more finishing this book than I do finishing most books, and that really is what you're looking for. A book that makes you feel.

rhyanreads's review against another edition

challenging 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? Yes

4.0

What an interesting narrator and point of view. 

ambrose_7's review against another edition

5.0

I finally got around to this book, and it was well worth the many times I heard about it in praised tones. It has some of the most beautiful and unique prose I've ever had the grace to read. I fell in love with the characters and was torn apart again and again by the devastating lives they led. I know that this review has been written down by countless others, this is one of the most impactful books ever written. But when you read something, this awe-inspiring, you can't help but marvel. War is horrible and deplorable; we've been fed that monolouge our entire lives. But this was one of the first times I read from citizens' lives, people who just want to LIVE. I don't think I'll find many if any novels that can capture this in such splendid and dark ways. I thought on many occasions while reading how a human being could have come up with such a masterpiece. A book with so much interwoven and stitched together. So many things make it stand out, how the chapters are set up, that it's narrated by death, and the emotional and descriptive prose, the entire book is a patchwork of creativity and brilliance, and I was happy to be part of it for the last week. THIS IS WHAT YA CAN BE. YA does not mean that you can have cookie-cutter characters with a boring plotline.

The Book Thief will be remembered for hundreds of years, of that we can be sure.

(ATY #15)