Hey guys! I hope your weekend is going good so far! Anyways, on Thursday, I finished re-reading “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak, and let me tell you: it was just as great (if not better) than I remember it being.
Anyways, here’s the review:
This is a young adult historical fiction book set during WW2 with 550 pages. Like I said earlier, I already read this book last February, so I thought I would re-read it and do a review! Also, this will be a spoiler free review, so even if you haven’t read the book you can read this. I’ll just give my thoughts on the characters, plot, writing, and stuff.
The synopsys from Goodreads:
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.
By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found.
But these are dangerous times. When Liesel’s foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel’s world is both opened up, and closed down.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.
MY THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK
“A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.”
— Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
I think that the characters in this book were really well developed. I love how you get to see Liesel through all five years, and you witness how much she changes through that time. I love Rudy’s character too, as well as Max, Hans Huberman, and Rosa Huberman, and basically just all the characters. This book had such a great cast of characters that felt alive and real.
“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.”
— Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
One of my favorite things about this book is the intriguing narration. This novel is narrated by death, and it’s very interesting how Zusak portrayed it. I absolutely loved it, because it was really different than a lot of other books, and it really makes you think
“Like most misery, it started with apparent happiness.”
— Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
The plot of this book is also really good. I enjoyed how the book is set through five years, so there’s a lot that happens. It’s a story about how books can be a light even in the darkest of times, like during WW2.
Overall, I would totally recommend reading this. It’s a very thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and inspiring piece of literature. It’s one of my favorite books, and there’s also a movie of it, so if you’re not really a reader, you could do that. I didn’t like it as much as the book, but it was still really well done.
“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”
— Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
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Okay, so thanks for reading! Also, thank you so much for all of the comments and questions on my last post! I am so excited to answer them! I’ll probably do the Q&A post on Wednesday, or next Saturday! Thanks again, and have an awesome day!!
~ Rebekah
Books and Hooks 