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A review by prodigalstudent
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
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.