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deanopeez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sohare01's review against another edition
4.0
Because everyone says it's great and Amazon said people who bought "How I Live Now" also bought this . . . and it got me free shipping.
prodigalstudent's review against another edition
4.0
I started reading this book because John Green recommended it on his tumblr. I really didn't think I would like this book since it's a historical fiction - a genre I seldom read. Boy, how wrong was I....
First off, having death as a narrator is probably most readers unique selling point. For me, however it's the way the story is told that is most effective. The words the author uses, the imagery - the way he captures Himmel Street. It was realistic at one hand but also very poetic. I felt like I Liesel in this story. I could see myself growing up in Himmel street and slowly understanding the complexity of the world, particularly of Nazi Germany. And it makes sense, doesn't it? As a child you see the world in very black and white terms but slowly as you grow older you begin to understand that there's more to people than what meets the eye.
I think this example is best illustrated by the characters of Rosa Huberman and Frau Hotzapel (sp?). If this was a fairytail Rosa's character would most probably turn into a carciature for the "evil queen"... she curses a lot, she nags all the time and she is pretty strict to the point of cruelty. However, I am so glad that Zusak didn't choose to go that route... He did not stereotype Rosa's character and fit her in a box... no he revealed her shades to us, the readers, one by one. First, he showed her strength and kindness when Max came to her house to stay. Then, he exposed another layer of Rosa's personality when she embraced her husbands accordion at night when he was on leave. And then again he gave a glimpse to her past - where Hans stated she was very quiet when he met her as compared to after marriage. It is these small details that I felt Zusak excelled in when writing the book. On a lighter note I also enjoyed the liberal usage of German curse words - felt realistic for a poor town. I also got to add to my vocabulary of "insults".
Overall though the story touched me. And not many stories do. The book, despite it's setting in Nazi Germany, was written with a slightly casual tone. However, every now and then between that casual prose detailing Liesels life it offered some unforgettable gems. Like the scene where in the midst of a raid Liesel read out loud books in the basement or almost all the Max-Liesel scenes, particularly the ones where he writes about the "word snatcher" and Liesel describes the sky with a child's innocence. Sounds corny but I don't think I've read an author who uses words so well to express the beauty and ugliness of life. I have never had a book bring me to tears so much and that alone, elevates this book to an unforgettable and impressive status.
First off, having death as a narrator is probably most readers unique selling point. For me, however it's the way the story is told that is most effective. The words the author uses, the imagery - the way he captures Himmel Street. It was realistic at one hand but also very poetic. I felt like I
I think this example is best illustrated by the characters of Rosa Huberman and Frau Hotzapel (sp?). If this was a fairytail Rosa's character would most probably turn into a carciature for the "evil queen"... she curses a lot, she nags all the time and she is pretty strict to the point of cruelty. However, I am so glad that Zusak didn't choose to go that route... He did not stereotype Rosa's character and fit her in a box... no he revealed her shades to us, the readers, one by one. First, he showed her strength and kindness when Max came to her house to stay. Then, he exposed another layer of Rosa's personality when she embraced her husbands accordion at night when he was on leave. And then again he gave a glimpse to her past - where Hans stated she was very quiet when he met her as compared to after marriage. It is these small details that I felt Zusak excelled in when writing the book. On a lighter note I also enjoyed the liberal usage of German curse words - felt realistic for a poor town. I also got to add to my vocabulary of "insults".
Overall though the story touched me. And not many stories do. The book, despite it's setting in Nazi Germany, was written with a slightly casual tone. However, every now and then between that casual prose detailing Liesels life it offered some unforgettable gems. Like the scene where in the midst of a raid Liesel read out loud books in the basement or almost all the Max-Liesel scenes, particularly the ones where he writes about the "word snatcher" and Liesel describes the sky with a child's innocence. Sounds corny but I don't think I've read an author who uses words so well to express the beauty and ugliness of life. I have never had a book bring me to tears so much and that alone, elevates this book to an unforgettable and impressive status.
lily91106's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Five stars, no words left.
whimsyfaerie's review against another edition
5.0
5✰
i can’t think about the book theif without feeling upset.
the characters are marvelous. you connect with them instantly and only want the best for them. liselle deserves so much better; she went through the worst things anybody could go through. rudy and max were my favorite characters, other than liselle of course, and the entire time i was hoping nothing would happen to them (but..iykyk).
it is around a 500 page book that is slower-paced, but you need to hear every thought death has and experience the little moments with the characters that make the ending so much more impactful.
this is a truly phenomenal and heartbreaking book that everyone should read. i genuinely don’t think i’ll be able to read it again because of how much i was bawling at the end of the story. ✮
➪ my favorite quotes:
“or till the stars were dragged down again, into the waters of the german sky.”
“trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like the rain.”
“even death has a heart.”
“i have hated the words and i have loved them, and i hope i have made them right.”
➪ spice rating: 0/5
➪ age rating: 14+
i can’t think about the book theif without feeling upset.
the characters are marvelous. you connect with them instantly and only want the best for them. liselle deserves so much better; she went through the worst things anybody could go through. rudy and max were my favorite characters, other than liselle of course, and the entire time i was hoping nothing would happen to them (but..iykyk).
it is around a 500 page book that is slower-paced, but you need to hear every thought death has and experience the little moments with the characters that make the ending so much more impactful.
this is a truly phenomenal and heartbreaking book that everyone should read. i genuinely don’t think i’ll be able to read it again because of how much i was bawling at the end of the story. ✮
➪ my favorite quotes:
“or till the stars were dragged down again, into the waters of the german sky.”
“trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like the rain.”
“even death has a heart.”
“i have hated the words and i have loved them, and i hope i have made them right.”
➪ spice rating: 0/5
➪ age rating: 14+
emcheym's review against another edition
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
5.0
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
It was a good read and I definitely cried at the end but during and even after reading the book, I still couldn't pinpoint where I found it amazing or compelling. It was well written with an interesting concept ;the characters were well developed and that was the reason I cried was because I was so engrossed on their existence. However I don't think much actually happens except a unique character study placed in the second world war. I think kids would enjoy this book but I would pair it with conversation so that they understood what was going on and the historical context. Recommended
spivik's review against another edition
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
5.0