The Book Thief is a tragically beautiful tale of love, war, loss, and death. They are undeniably making it a fan-favorite modern classic. So here’s a review of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak.
About The Book:
by Markus Zusak
Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Genre: War, Holocaust, Historical Fiction
Publisher: Knopf BFYR
Type: Standalone
Pages: 552 pages
Goodreads rating: 4.4/5
The story is set up in 1939 in Nazi Germany. While the country is holding its breath, death has never been busier and will be busier still. Liesel’s life changes at her brother’s graveside when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook and is her first act of book thievery. Thus, begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she starts stealing books from Nazi book burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, and wherever there are books. 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.
The Book Thief Book Review
The Book Thief is an incredibly well-written, heartbreaking story of a young girl surviving in war-torn Germany. It’s one of the first books I’ve read that looks at WWII from the perspective of someone living in Germany. This narrative reveals the often overlooked fact that many Germans were also victims, not just villains.
The author has crafted all the characters in the book with the utmost care. Hans, Liesel’s foster dad, has you falling in love with the gentle hum of accordion music and the magic of late-night reading. Rosa, who starts off as quite unlikeable, turns out to have a heart of gold. And Rudy? That kid sticks with you long after you close the book. Liesel herself? She’s a firecracker, inspiring bravery and a thirst for adventure.
“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
What’s unique about “The Book Thief” is how it doesn’t just swing you between tears and laughter. The sadness of Liesel’s journey kind of sneaks up on you, leaving you with this weird sense of guilt. The British bombs dropping in Germany, killing so many—it’s all so heavy because it’s driven by the madness of one man dictating a nation’s fate.
The story’s pacing is just perfect. The story moves slowly enough to let you soak in every detail, every emotion. The dialogue is sharp and vivid, making the fictional town of Molching come alive. It did not feel like I was reading a book; rather, I was living the story through Liesel and the narrations of ‘Death’ itself.
“I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.”
Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
A beautiful, lyrical, heart-wrenching, and powerful tale, rich with originality and creativity, The Book Thief is a love letter to words; to books; to their power for both good and evil, and to friends that become family. It is a bittersweet story about a meaningless war, a young girl’s journey of survival and acceptance, and death narrating the fate of so many characters.
Conclusion
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommendation: If historical fiction is your thing, especially WWII with deeply developed characters and a story that lingers long after, you need to pick up “The Book Thief.”
About The Author
Markus Zusak is an Australian writer with Austrian and German roots. He is best known for his creations – The Book Thief and The Messenger. Both these novels became international bestsellers. He won the ‘Margaret A. Edwards Award’ in 2014 for his writings.
Link to Buy The Book Thief by Markus Zusak:
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