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kylie_lam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
mk_dantes's review against another edition
5.0
This book brings me closer to the connection between me and History. Yes, I adore history as much as I adore literature. Well, you wouldn't believe the time I spent on reading this book because I had to pause and search for the related info on the internet. See how amazing it is? It just sparked my interest on researching again, it's a shame to say that I know history before I came to this book (I didn't know Hitler was a Taurus, or he committed suicide either).
Liesel is the epitome of a book lover. Even though the author didn't characterize her, or turn her into a lovable character, she did capture my heart with her actions. She's excited to see tons of books laying in front of her, and she touched every each of them, as she wanted to read them all, unfortunately, she can't because you could only hold one book at a time (LOL) But yes, I love the scene where she sees and reaches out for the books, this feeling... you get when you enter a bookstore.
Rudy is the perfect secret (not so secret pffftt) admirer a girl can get. Unlike most of the novel which depicted relationships in western countries, Rudy doesn't push Liesel. He dares not to steal her kiss as he truly loves her. He shares his secrets with her and respects Liesel's space. If there were sex scenes in this novel it would totally ruin the plot. Luckily, there wasn't any and yes, Markus Zusak, 100 points you go.
Now, for the "tear"ing part. The interaction between Liesel and Max is what touches me the most. He's a Jew. She's a pure German. Both of them doubt each other. Liesel ventures a step. They become good friends. Max leaves the house for their own good. Liesel misses him. After 32482951037484 days later they finally reunion. It all started with Liesel's reading, the words that linger in her mind and change her soul.
Yes, words touch our soul as we know, but this book grasp the words like never before. Liesel's foster dad, Hans, make use of those words to comfort Liesel, which indirectly heal my heart as well:
"Liesel," Hans said, "you're just a girl."
In that moment I swear I'm relieved from all the faults I'd committed when I was... a girl.
Liesel is the epitome of a book lover. Even though the author didn't characterize her, or turn her into a lovable character, she did capture my heart with her actions. She's excited to see tons of books laying in front of her, and she touched every each of them, as she wanted to read them all, unfortunately, she can't because you could only hold one book at a time (LOL) But yes, I love the scene where she sees and reaches out for the books, this feeling... you get when you enter a bookstore.
Rudy is the perfect secret (not so secret pffftt) admirer a girl can get. Unlike most of the novel which depicted relationships in western countries, Rudy doesn't push Liesel. He dares not to steal her kiss as he truly loves her. He shares his secrets with her and respects Liesel's space. If there were sex scenes in this novel it would totally ruin the plot. Luckily, there wasn't any and yes, Markus Zusak, 100 points you go.
Now, for the "tear"ing part. The interaction between Liesel and Max is what touches me the most. He's a Jew. She's a pure German. Both of them doubt each other. Liesel ventures a step. They become good friends. Max leaves the house for their own good. Liesel misses him. After 32482951037484 days later they finally reunion. It all started with Liesel's reading, the words that linger in her mind and change her soul.
Yes, words touch our soul as we know, but this book grasp the words like never before. Liesel's foster dad, Hans, make use of those words to comfort Liesel, which indirectly heal my heart as well:
"Liesel," Hans said, "you're just a girl."
In that moment I swear I'm relieved from all the faults I'd committed when I was... a girl.
throst's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
bronwyn212's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
authorcharlottee's review against another edition
5.0
This is the most incredible book I’ve ever read.
ccamocha's review against another edition
3.0
4.25.. made me sob at 4am when i finished it. My expectations were the fact that it was a story about a girl befriending death. Not quite, not even close, but it didn't disappoint. I am still perplex about how i should rate this one..
Don't have anything else to say about it..
Don't have anything else to say about it..
joyreadsinnc's review against another edition
5.0
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book...it will be one that will stay with me for a long time. This is not just your usual telling of events during World War II, it is an account of an adolescent girl's hardships and life lessons (coming of age), while living during this time period in Nazi Germany.
One reasons I believe this story is so different than many others of this time period is because we are usually seeing things from the perspective of those who were in concentration camps, perpetrators of the abuse of millions of people, or an account of historians and outsiders looking inward (which usually leads to some judgmental opinions and tones). However, this fictional book shows how someone can live within a system knowing that it is wrong, trying to fight against the system, while also trying to blend in for survival. It leaves you with a feel of the difficulties and complications of being a German citizen during WWII when you don't agree with everyone else around you (who may also not agree, but aren't brave to say so). And, of course, it is also about one's relationships, inspirational moments, laughter, tears, and an overall sadness that things couldn't have happened differently, but secretly knowing that nothing would be as poignant and important if they hadn't.
One reasons I believe this story is so different than many others of this time period is because we are usually seeing things from the perspective of those who were in concentration camps, perpetrators of the abuse of millions of people, or an account of historians and outsiders looking inward (which usually leads to some judgmental opinions and tones). However, this fictional book shows how someone can live within a system knowing that it is wrong, trying to fight against the system, while also trying to blend in for survival. It leaves you with a feel of the difficulties and complications of being a German citizen during WWII when you don't agree with everyone else around you (who may also not agree, but aren't brave to say so). And, of course, it is also about one's relationships, inspirational moments, laughter, tears, and an overall sadness that things couldn't have happened differently, but secretly knowing that nothing would be as poignant and important if they hadn't.
amrita_yadav's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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? No
5.0
How can you not love this book? Isn't it the obvious choice of book to be placed in the list of books that everyone should read before they die. There are very few books about war and political situations that can make it through to the readers and not bore them. I had read The Diary of Anne Frank when it was an assigned reading given to my brother. You saw her life in Germany but it was a Jewish girl's perspective of people that were in the hiding. This book shows a Nazi girl's perspective. It is important to look at the story from this way too, to see all the horrible inhumane things happening and to be a part in its glorified narration.
To be on the other side, brainwashed into thinking it is all for the better, is to be blissfully ignorant. Ignorance is bliss. To have a heart, that beats for humanity, to know death, to understand the difference between right and wrong before knowing the difference between races, religion and culture, is truly the sorrowful thing. You are so miserable when you are in the know, miserable for other people's suffering, miserable for your helplessness to do anything about it. I'm reminded of a quote by Sant Kabir,"Sukhiya sab sansar hai, khaye aur soye. Dukhiya das kabir hai, jage aur roye."(The whole world is happy, eats and sleeps. Kabir is a sad slave, wake up and cry.)
The thing about history is that it repeats. It has only been a few days since the bombing in Rafah and I came to these lines:"...No one would bomb a place named after heaven, would they? Would they?...","...All while people slept.","...All sleeping. All dying." The political situation in India has given rise to polarized feelings in people, hatred has become a common emotion. To read how people are manipulated in thinking against a group, in small thought out steps. Make them feel the glory of their race, tell them about how they have suffered for generations, tell them they are all at risk of becoming extinct due to the take over of the other race, then finally give them a Messiah that will save them all.
Lastly, since this is a book narrated by death, all the different ways and places that people are destined to die is something that mimics the real life. Someone takes else's place in the army to save that person and ends up surviving rather than that person, someone goes to war 3 times and still survives to come home and spend the last days of his life with family, how an argument could be the last time you meet someone, how you can survive the war but not the guilt of being alive, and how there can be a single survivor amidst it all.
Five star. Definite, immediate read. Life is incomplete if you haven't read it.
To be on the other side, brainwashed into thinking it is all for the better, is to be blissfully ignorant. Ignorance is bliss. To have a heart, that beats for humanity, to know death, to understand the difference between right and wrong before knowing the difference between races, religion and culture, is truly the sorrowful thing. You are so miserable when you are in the know, miserable for other people's suffering, miserable for your helplessness to do anything about it. I'm reminded of a quote by Sant Kabir,"Sukhiya sab sansar hai, khaye aur soye. Dukhiya das kabir hai, jage aur roye."(The whole world is happy, eats and sleeps. Kabir is a sad slave, wake up and cry.)
The thing about history is that it repeats. It has only been a few days since the bombing in Rafah and I came to these lines:"...No one would bomb a place named after heaven, would they? Would they?...","...All while people slept.","...All sleeping. All dying." The political situation in India has given rise to polarized feelings in people, hatred has become a common emotion. To read how people are manipulated in thinking against a group, in small thought out steps. Make them feel the glory of their race, tell them about how they have suffered for generations, tell them they are all at risk of becoming extinct due to the take over of the other race, then finally give them a Messiah that will save them all.
Lastly, since this is a book narrated by death, all the different ways and places that people are destined to die is something that mimics the real life. Someone takes else's place in the army to save that person and ends up surviving rather than that person, someone goes to war 3 times and still survives to come home and spend the last days of his life with family, how an argument could be the last time you meet someone, how you can survive the war but not the guilt of being alive, and how there can be a single survivor amidst it all.
Five star. Definite, immediate read. Life is incomplete if you haven't read it.