I sobbed my way through the last fifty-odd pages of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak last night. You’d think with Death as the narrator of the book and the fact that it is set in Germany during World War II that I would be prepared for a sad ending. This is one of those books where you love all the characters and even though you know how the war ends, even though you know what happens, you hope that maybe here, maybe in this book, history can be changed, people can be saved and that everything might turn out alright.
The first couple of chapters I wasn’t so sure I was going to like the book. It was hard to get into, the voice was odd, Death’s narrative intrusions were annoying. But then after about 30 pages something clicked and I found myself enjoying the story. So if you decide to read this book, keep that in mind. Give the book a little time and you will find yourself caught up in it.
The story takes place on Himmel street in Munich. Himmel street is the poorest street in town. Liesel, our book thief, arrives on Himmel as a foster child at the home of Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Both of the Hubermann’s children are grown and they treat Liesel like she was their own. The next door neighbors are the Steiners with a passel of kids. One of them, Rudy, is Liesel’s age. They become best friends and Rudy wants nothing more than for Liesel to give him a kiss. She always refuses but more from principle than for any other reason because Liesel wants Rudy to kiss her but she’s not about to tell him that. The Hubermann’s also end up hiding Max, a Jewish man, in their basement.
One of the things I liked best about the book is the compassion and beauty that shine through the ugliness. And there is lots of ugliness. But there is lots of love too. We’ve all heard stories of great heroics during the war. The characters in this book are heroes too, heroes of common decency who leave pieces of bread on the road to Dachau for the Jews who are being marched there. They are people who have nothing but yet still manage to get by and help others in the process. And yes, this is fiction, but I like to think that there were people like this in real life whose kindness and goodness we don’t know about.
Even though the story is set during the war, the book is really about words. At one point Liesel destroys a book that doesn’t even belong to her. She does it from rage and frustration and desperation:
She tore a page from the book and ripped it in half.
Then a chapter.
Soon, there was nothing but scraps of words littered between her legs and all around her. The words. Why did they have to exist? Without them, there wouldn’t be any of this. Without words, the Führer was nothing. There would be no limping prisoners, no need for consolation or wordly tricks to make us feel better.
What good were the words?
But it is clear what good the words are because while they hurt and destroy, they also heal and comfort and are even gifts.
Since words are so important in the story it is a delight that Zusak is so good with them. He surprises from time to time with some unique descriptions. Things like, “He was teenage tall and had a long neck. Pimples were gathered in peer groups on his face.” And “There were no people on the street anymore. They were rumors carrying bags.” And one of my favorites, “Her wrinkles were like slander. Her voice was akin to a beating with a stick.”
The book’s audience is young adult/teen, but it’s an enjoyable read for grown ups too, especially the kind of grown ups who care about words.
The Book Thief was the biggest book surprise of 2006 for me. I had no idea what to expect when I picked it up the first time and almost didn’t bother with it when I saw that it was marked as Young Adult Fiction. But I was immediately hooked on the story and almost dreaded for it to end because of the hints that Mr. Death kept throwing at me. I’ve passed my copy on to one friend after another (with the understanding that they return it to me so that I can chose another reader for the book)and every single person that’s read my copy has felt the book’s impact. I’m still a bit confused that it is YA fiction, but it taught me a lesson about what I may have been missing by ignoring books aimed specifically at young adults.
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Ahh, maybe someone should have told me about the 30 page thing before. I picked up a copy at the book store skimmed the first few pages and re-shelved it. The narrative voice was a huge turn off for me.
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The librarian at my school has been pushing this book on my since she read it last year. I think she would agree with you about the author’s use of language–she actually raved about it to me more than once. A couple of weeks ago, I finally checked it out to read during my English classes’ silent reading time. I didn’t see what all the fuss was about, but I only read about 20 pages. I guess I need to give it a longer chance.
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I have heard that the start is a bir off-putting. I’m undecided about this book still, although it’s encouraging to hear you give it a good review, Stefanie.
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this is a wonderful review. While I wasn’t planning on reading it, I just might now!
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Sam, the book does have an effect on one, doesn’t it? I tend to shy away from young adult books too even though I’ve read quite a few and enjoyed them. It is a distinction I’m trying not to pay attention to, but often fail miserably at.
Imani, I hope you try the book again. I almost put it down after the first the chapter. I even told my husband that in spite of all the good things I’d heard about the book I didn’t think it was going to work out. But because of all the good things I decided to give it 50 pages and I am glad I did.
Kim, do give it just a little more time. It’s one of those books that grows on you.
Litlove, I know what you mean about being undecided. I was too until the good things I heard about the book reached a sort of critical mass.
Courtney, if you decide to read it, I hope you enjoy it.
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Now I wonder why the author or his editor didn’t try to get those first troublesome 30 pages into better shape? Anyway, this sounds great — thanks for the review!
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I loved this book. I agree that it was difficult to get in to at first but it is so worth persevering with. I haven’t read a book that affected me the way this one did for a long time. Even though I knew what was coming I cried and cried all the way through the last few chapters. I just loved the way Zusak used the language. He writes about words as if they are alive. I kept rereading passages, not because I didn’t understand, but to savour the words, the descriptions, the meaning. This is a must-read book for all ages. I am haunted by humans.
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GAW! Everyone has read this except me!! Great review – thanks!!
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It is curious Dorothy why the beginning pages weren’t reworked a bit.
Julie, I was surprised how affected I was by this book too. The sentence you quote says it all.
You aren’t the last Heather. If you decide to read it, I hope you enjoy it.
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On the TBR list! I’m sure Heather will beat me in reading it, so I will look forward to being the last person to enjoy the book.
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An amazing book! Definitely worth the effort of the first 30 pages. Thanks for your great review.
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Sonja, than you, and thanks for stopping by!
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I too needed a good 50 pages to really get into this book, but I am so glad I didn’t give up on it. It has become one of my all-time favorites. I have passed it on to many others who have loved it as much as I did.
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Mrs. R, it was a special book, wasn’t it?
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Sadly, I’m well past Young Adult stage and may well not have ever read this amazing book if I had known its clssification in advance. Fortunately, I didn’t. An unforgettable experience – certainly one of my all time Top 10. I would recommend it to anyone of any age. If it doesn’t touch all of your emotions, you’re dead!
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Ken, I’m well past Young Adult stage too but have found in the last few years that some YA books should be read by grown ups too. You are right, Book Thief was an unforgettable experience!
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I’m reading this for the Saturday Review Challenge!
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I hope you like it Carrie!
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I thought it was great too. I put it down after the first bit (like everyone said) but then got into it again after 2 months. Then I read solidly till I finished. Could not put it down. My whole family has taken it in turns to read. Adults and teenagers, and we have all loved it.
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Yup, if you can make it past the beginning it’s a great book. It’s nice that your whole family has enjoyed it. There aren’t too many books like that. I think it proves that it’s a real gem.
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My daughter was required to read this book as part of her summer reading requirement for school. Before she started it, I gave it a go. I too almost put it down at the beginning and wondered why the school required the students to read it. I stuck with it and was glad that I did. I loved it.
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Helene, it’s nice to hear kids are reading it for school. A compelling way to learn history, and we adults can enjoy it too!
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Funny, I was immediately hooked by the narrative voice, especially the “intrusions”. I agree with Stefanie though– in spite of the fact that the setting (holocaust) and narrator (Death) should have prepared me, I was still surprised by just how hard the end hit me, how affecting it was. And for all you adults who have been avoiding YA books– you really have NO idea what you’ve been missing! Some of the best novels I’ve read over the past few years have been categorized as YA, and although I don’t have kids, I never enter a bookstore without at least taking a quick glance in the kids section.
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Karen, you are quite right about YA books of the past few years being excellent reading for all ages. And it’s nice you don’t have to be a kid in order to read them!
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This has been on my TBR list for a year…sounds like a must-read.
Did I mention I admire your picks for the RIP Challenge?
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LK, I think you would like this book. And thanks!
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I’d heard of this book, but this is the first time I’ve felt the urgent need to read it. I don’t usually like to read books that will make me cry unless the writing is undeniably good. It sounds as if this is one of those times.
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I highly recommend listening to this book on CD. Allan Corduner reads this story beautifully in his rough British voice. He sounds like a world-weary Death, no longer surprised by our inhumanity or curious about anyone… until he meets the book thief. I wish that someone had played an accordion when Hans did.
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Michelle, thanks for the recommendation. My husband an I enjoy listening to books together in winter. I will definately keep this one in mind.
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Ok i have a couple ?s about the book if anyone remembers
1. what does rudy give leslie for her birthday?
2. what does leslie do while hans plays the accordian?
3. why is hans breaking his leg a good thing?
please if you dont help me i will fail my english quiz!! i am begging anyone thank you
kaitlin
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I just finished the book myself and ive been sitting at work for the last three hours sobbing. I work overnights at a hotel and I was able to finish the lenghty book in little over three days, and I only wish there was more! my mother is a librarian and she has been trying to get me to read it for months, I only just decided to read it on account of the hours I work, and I must say im happy I read it. Not only did it make the hours fly by, it got me back to reading, I have been on a major hiatus, and this was just the book to get me out of it. I cant wait to pass it on to my friends.
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Hi all–I was googling the world to see what there was out there on The Book Thief since I am going to be teaching it in two weeks in an inter-disciplinary course on Death. I love this novel.
I have told person after person how extraordinary the ending is because despite the way that history and Death himself throughout the story AND an earlier reading of the book have prepared me for the ending, I SOBBED again at the end! It is just a feat of genius, to me, that Zusak is able to do so. I’m no easy touch, either, when it comes to reading.
I love this book’s love of language, of text, and I was surprised to hear so many had a hard time at the start–I was intrigued. But it’s good to know–I can pass that on to the students who may not lose themselves as readily as I did. I was taken in by Death’s voice from the start–reminds me of the Death that John Donne might be talking to in “Death Be Not Proud.”
so, after seeing your initial post, Stefanie, I had to concur and add my two cents.
cheers
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Hannah, sometimes when I find a good book I wonder why I waited so long to read it when others keep telling me I’d like it. Glad you read Book Thief and liked it so much. Now comes the fun part of getting everyone you know to read it 🙂
Kathy, I don’t think I could re-read it knowing how it was going to end! I didn’t think of Donne, but you are right. Nice comparison. Your students are very lucky 🙂
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I know I’m going to be repeating everyone else when I say this, but this book was amazing. My father recommended it to me, and I was intrigued and hooked by the first chapter. I fell in love with it after the first fifty pages.
Generally I never read books suggested to me by others, but I’m glad I did this time. Just like everyone else, tears were streaming down my face in the last couple of chapters, and I NEVER cry when I read a book.
My friend actually had the good fortune to interview the author, Mark Zusack, for a school newspaper, though she never actually read the book. For this, I’ll always be extremely jealous and slightly angry. Hopefully I’ll be able to get her to read it in the future
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Leah, I am amazed at how many people have read and loved this book. And how cool that your friend got to meet Zusack! I hope meeting him inspired her to read the book.
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I am 14, and this is one of my favorite books. The ending is so incredibly sad, I cried like a baby. I made my mom and sister read it, and they were hooked instantly. My dad still refuses to read it cuz he’s too busy, but one of these days I’ll get to him…
The book focuses on death and sadness and destruction, but also on the beauty and love and kindness that can blossom amidst untold horrors. Normally, you consider Death you enemy, but here, you understand him and even come to sympathize with him.
This book will change your life and make you see things differently, at least for me. I know a lot about the Holocaust, but I never really understood what the German people went through. I definitely reccommend this book to everyone of all ages.
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Oh and this evening, I went and heard the author of The Book Thief speak! And he signed my copy too! yay! 🙂
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Miriam, thank you for your womderful comment! Your enjoyment of the book makes me want to read it again, even knowing I will sob at the end all over again. And how awesome that you got to meet the author and have him sign your book!
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I read it 3 times and LOVED it! I was in class when I read the end and had to go to the bathroom during a test with tears spilling out of my eyes… my teacher asked what was wrong and I could only point to my book… she looked confused but let me go, luckily…
I, too, got to meet the author! He signed my copy and I am really happy! I’m rereading it now… for the fourth time… It never gets old!
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I read the book because it was big and I needed to read a million words.At first,I thought the book was going to be boring.I didn’t understand it.Then,I began to understand and I began to enjoy it.I loved it.At the end,I cried.It’s a great book.
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Jasmine, so cool that you have a singed copy. And you’re on your fourth read! That’s fantastic. Do you cry every time or does it get easier?
Joselyn, I know what you mean about the beginning of the book. So glad you stuck with it and liked it. I can’t believe how wildly popular and loved this book is!
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I loved this book so much. I had to read it for a school project, but when I first looked at it I didn’t understand why I had to read it. I do now. It may have started off boring, but it sure got better. I cried so much at the end that I had to stop in the middle of the story in order to grab ahold of myself. This book is a little odd, but it is certainly very creative. I loved The Book Thief and thought that it was a touching novel.
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The Book Thief was the best book I have read. It’s filled to the brim with passion and has a dark sense of humor, for example once in the book Death says `It kills me sometimes how people die.´ The fact that ANYONE could write a book so colourfully astonishes me. I will never forget this amazingly writen book that built up the faith of words in me. It crushed me how it finished of, to me it was like the end of the world. Yet now that I think about it The Book Thief would not have been so devinely great if Himmel street was not bombed.It was the war after all… and people do die. I tried not to cry my eyes out when I finished the book, but I don’t think that I did a very good job of it. To me this book should be read by people of any age, even the young. Just to give you an idea of what I meen my twelf birthday is in a little bit over a week from now. I’m currently living in Munich.
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Emily, it’s so great to hear how much you loved this book. And it’s wonderful to hear it is being assigned in school. I hope the rest of your classes loved the book as much as you did.
Sarah, you’re twelve? You are so articulate about the book I am very impressed. I hope you keep reading books and keep writing about them!
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the narrative and word selection is so intense, so captivating, yet there is a unique warmth to this story….it is unlike anything else i have ever read…….and on this gloomy day, in which i happen to be rather sick, and school is not on the agenda for today….i hope to finish this tale………100 more pages to go. afterwards, i will post another response when i am through.
thank you Markus Zusak…
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I was looking at the official website for Markus Zusak. And there was a little quote about him talking about the book.
“The Book Thief was supposed to be a small book – only a hundred pages or so. When I was growing up, I heard stories at home about Munich and Vienna in war-time, when my parents were children. Two stories my mother told me affected me a lot. The first was about Munich being bombed, and how the sky was on fire, how everything was red. The second was about something else she saw…
One day, there was a terrible noise coming from the main street of town, and when she ran to see it, she saw that Jewish people were being marched to Dachau, the concentration camp. At the back of the line, there was an old man, totally emaciated, who couldn’t keep up. When a teenage boy saw this, he ran inside and brought the man a piece of bread. The man fell to his knees and kissed the boy’s ankles and thanked him…Soon, a soldier noticed and walked over. He tore the bread from the man’s hands and whipped him for taking it. Then he chased the boy and whipped him for giving him the bread in the first place. In one moment, there was great kindness and great cruelty, and I saw it as the perfect story of how humans are.”
I just think it’s nice how the thing about the boy giving bread to the Jewish man really happened. And there were some nice things that happened in the book and in real life that were true.
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It’s incredibly hard for me to find a good book. I’m more of a person who enjoys literature that is almost loose. It doesn’t quite make sense. It’s all over the place. “The Book Thief” was one of those books. Only there was almost a sterile organization to it. The forshadowing “bold print” was never a distraction, to me it was facinating. It kept me reading. All day thoughout school. The novel took me a day and a half to get through (common, but exausting). There was something different about this one. The day after I finished it, my english teacher announced that if we decided to, we could read the book and write a paper for extra-credit. How exciting! However I offered the option of creating my own version of “The Stand Over Man.” She loved the idea.
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I just recently finished reading The Book Thief. I had to pause now and then to wipe away a tear as I read my way through the final pages…ok I was sobbing. The narrator (Death) allows you to become so attatched to the characters. He seems to know from the very start how you will feel as he concludes the book.
I enjoyed how, at some points, Death seemed to be feeling the same pain that the reader was.
I also liked the story because it described words as treasures, with the power to do good and evil.
I know that The Book Thief will forever be one of my favorite books.
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READ THIS BOOK!!!
I too, was a little confused within the first chapter, but zusak’s sybolism inchants me. I still admit it was unlike anything I’ve ever read, but that is what is so great about it ! His unusual humor has a darkness about it, but normal curses become terms of inderment. Through Liesel’s tragic tale, Zusak shows a story of bravery, words, and love.
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I loved this book along with my husband and adult son. I thought it was a bit strange for the first 30 – 50 pages but once I caught on to the style I was captivated.
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hi .. i’ve read the book thief many times as it is my one of my favourites. recently i started year twelve and was thinking of doing this book for my individual study in english… can anyone suggest a great book to compare and contrast with the book thief. one that shares the same themes of words and colours??
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I am about one third through the book thief and have just discovered that it is classified YA. I wont let that put me off after reading the reviews. I believe their is also an adult version. I would like to know what the main difference(s) are. Does anybody know.
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I’ve started to read this book. But unlike others, I love how death talks at the beginning. The color talk is co cool. Can’t wait to read it all.
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This is one of the best books that I read this year, if not the best. I found myself utterly drawn in by the descriptions. I love how the words can convey such an honest and clear picture without seeming pushed or fake. I cant say I cried after I finished the book, I just sat there, almost numb from the intensity of a simple story. I love this book!
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I know this is an old thread, but I just finished the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite it being aimed at younger readers I didn’t feel talked down to at all. Sad and inspiring all in one. And great to see a new take on an old story. I see what you mean about some of the stunning prose, l literally held my breath in places. However I wonder if there was too much of a good thing. I felt a bit overindulged by the end. Perhaps less is sometimes more. I feel there were so many beautiful moments its hard to retain them, whereas if there had been less they might stay in mind more strongly? anyway, thanks for the recommendation, even if it took a while to bloom.
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I am 67 years old and I guess that qualifies me as YA! This book made me look at war in a new way. In spite of the impossible conditions and great sacrifices of those who are actually in combat I have suddenly decided that wars are really fought by those who stay at home. What parent wouldn’t want to fight in place of their child? Would that not be better than waiting for word from the front? The fight to just exist as a civilian in a war torn country makes civilians the real combatants. Maybe we should think about this the next time we start a war.
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This was one of my top three favorite books of all time. It was masterfully written and I was hooked from the first few pages. It did take some getting used to in the style that it was written but it was brillant from start to finish. My friend was reading it and talked about it non-stop. I was going on a trip with a lot of time in the airports so I bought a copy before leaving. I had a hard time putting the book down to change plains. I have told everyone that I know about this book and plan to continue to get the word out about it. I look forward to reading more work by the author. I’m glad to find out what other people thought about the book.
Missy
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I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!
I wasn’t sure about reading it because i’m not the best reader and we had a couple of choices on what to read. I have a couple of chapters left and I am Looking forward to it soooo much. Now i am starting my essay, but i can’t seem to find some of the quotes that i loved that you guys have posted. If you have the page number or even chapter of some quotes that you’ve posted could you please tell me.
I spent like 30 min. looking for some quotes that i just LOVE!!!
Thanks
–Crissi
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I absolutely loved this book. Once I got into it, I just couldn’t set it down. Usually, when you read a book about the time during the holocaust, it comes from a Jews point of veiw.
It is refreshing to here the story from a normal person, who risked thereselves to help Jews. I totally agree with the person who wrote this summary. “The Book Theif” shows the ugly side of things, yet the beauty of all the compassion overcomes the hate. Though the books ending had me in tears, especially the part where Rudy finally recieves a kiss from Liesel, the fact that Max comes back to Liesel made me smile. It is an excellent book. A slightly educational, hooking, tragic, story about the fight for peace, makes a great book for someone who likes a dramatic, heart rattling, and for the most part, true, story. It really reveals the that even in the toughest times, there are still people who are good and willing to help.
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I don’t really understand why everyone was so turned off by the first few pages, I couldn’t put it down! I found the narrative voice so elegant and I thought Death’s little intrusions made it more interesting. Nothing in this book is a clichĂ©; every description seems effortless in the way it pairs unusual words together. The author’s style was what made this book great for me.
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Read The Messenger by Markus Zusak also.
It is just as well written as The Book Thief, and both being my two favorite books, I love them.
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Book thief – markus zusak
An emotional story based around german girl, a german couple who try to do the right thing, a jew, a best friend and death.
Very well written.
Intense in places.
Not your typical war story.
Makes you believe that you can always find something beautiful in something ugly.
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The book is absolutely amazing. The first couple pages might be hard to focus on, but once you get to death actually telling the story, it’s amazing. I love the way the story is told, how there are hints and giveaways, and it’s literally like the narrator is telling you the story. The book is so strong and there are so many ironic statements and parallels. The book is beautifully written and I recommend it. Don’t put it down after a few pages! You’ll miss out on a great story.
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This book is awesome. The characters vibrate with appeal. There are a number of funny, sad, and inspirational moments.
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I finished this book last night and bawled my way through the final chapter. There was something incredibly depressing and inspiring, and realistic and brutal, some combination of self-discovery and coming of age in such an awful era that made this book amazing.
I cried for about and hour.
If you have any doubts about reading it, trudge your way through the first chapters and read the whole thing. 600 pages of a life that may be fictional but is the story that needed to be told.
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The number 3 is scattered throughout the novel. Any ideas about its significance?
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The Book Thief was a really terrific and wonderful book. I just loved how the plot and the events were set up. I learned couple things from the author as a writer myself. First, you cannot be afraid to put your own thoughts, feelings, or even your own
personality in the story because this is your story so make it different, make it you. Another thing I learned was that you shouldn’t ever be writing to impress someone or to make it based on someone’s opinion. If someone doesn’t like it and tells you to add this in or make this happen, you shouldn’t completely change it or add so many things because then it won’t be your story anymore. You can use that person’s opinion to maybe change minor things, but don’t make a tremendous amount. If I were to write my own story, I’d borrow Markus Zusak’s technique of having the narrator be an imaginary or nonrealistic person. The Book Thief is a really great book but there are some improvements I would do to make it a magnificent book. But the beginning could use some help or fixing because I just felt like it was dragging on and on. Also, some parts of the story I was pretty confused on. Although I liked how the author chose Death as the narrator, some qualities of “him” or “her” I didn’t like. Death kept telling us about future events that hadn’t occurred yet, and in my opinion, it had no relevance to what was occurring at the time or made any sense at all, I was completely lost and couldn’t understand anything he was saying. Another thing I didn’t like was that Death kept revealing parts or events from the ending of the story, and in my opinion, that kind of dulled the story a bit. Mostly because some readers could feel that there is no point on reading any further if they have been told and already know what is going to happen, it takes away some of the of eagerness to finish the book. Also it takes away the shock of finding out what happens at the end. Although I have some likes and dislikes of the story, I still highly recommend this book to everyone.
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what are the names of the books that she stole?couldn’t find them…
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The first time I tried to read the Book Theif it was so boring that I didn’t get past fifty pages. Then it was assigned for Summer Reading so I had to read it, I have to admit by the end I was sobbing my eyes out. I love it, I highly recommend it to anyone who is unsure at the moment.
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Just a little insight:
Recently finished the Book Theif and there was something still bugging me. Why on earth would Zusak give Death’s two cents every couple of pages? Why would he continue to let Death interrupt the story, when it was so blantently annoying? Then it clicked: Death is nothing but an interruption. I love the way that Death’s character and personality comes through in these small paragraphs, proving his ability to interrupt any stream of life.
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armyray, a most excellent observation!
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I loved the language of The Book Thief. It has to be one of the most interestingly written, most cleverly crafted works(linguistically) that I have read since Victor Hugo or Balzac. I am teaching similes, metaphors, personifications in my creative writing class, drawing heavily on this book. I need nothing else!!
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Hey stephanie,
Im 10 years old and i read your review, i was certainly persuaded to read the Book Thief after doing so and im glad i did, if gave me a great insight into WW2 in Germany
Im doing a project on the book at the moment and i was wondering if you could help me out,
– what are some of the themes discussed
– is there a moral message
– how have they used language to engage the audience
i would appreciate it if you could help me out on these
David
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Hi Dave! I am glad you read and enjoyed Book Thief! I can’t answer your questions because that would be doing your project for you, but maybe I can help a little.
Theme: what ideas keep recurring throughout the book? Think about the characters and what they do. For instance, death.
Moral message: I think there is a moral message in the book, but the thing with morals is that you might see the message differently than I do. For me, I think about human kindness in the face of death cruelty and what that means.
Language: this one is a personal opinion that you will have to provide evidence for one way or the other. Think about how you felt when you were reading and whether say, the use of color pulled you in, or whether the things Death said and how he said it made you want to keep reading.
Good luck with your project Dave!
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Despite many people’s opinions i enjoyed the sarcasm and Death’s ‘narrative intrusions’, but maybe that’s just me. I like the personification of Death and the small hints and threats he drops in every now and then, it gives the narrator a character that obviously you wouldnt really expect.
I’m 14 and just happened to pick this book up in a bookshop the other week and found that i was utterly captivated. I’ve enjoyed other books to do with and surrounding WW2 (The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, Anne Frank’s diary, Atonement etc) but have never found one that even slightly came from the somewhat oblique direction that this one did.
It’s one of the best books i’ve ever read and i’m currently on the hunt for anything that is as gripping and enlightening as the novel in question was (with any subject matter i suppose), any suggestions?
🙂
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I’ve just ordered this book. I’ve skipped over all the above reviews because I want to be surprised; however, I am so happy to have a place to come back to once I’ve finished it. I just found your blog today – what a little gem.
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Hi Linda! Welcome and thanks! I hope you enjoy the book!
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I just finished this book today in only 4 sittings and it is amazing!! I sobbed all the way through the last 50 or so pages..that’s the first time a bool has ever made me cry! I couldn’t put it down! Even though the ending was hinted at and sometimes bluntly told I still never thought it would happen! I cried and cried!! More tears for these fictional characters I felt so connected to, than real people! I just love it so much.. it’s a must read for everyone of all ages.
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i just finished this book today.
first book i’ve ever cried over.
was i the only one who fell in love with the characters?
i just felt like they were real!
i think the book was great as a whole, i loved the pictures.
Death being the narrator was pretty great.
his little intrusions never really got on my nerves, i don’t really know about the rest of you…
overall, i think, great book.
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I too, threw this book onto my shelf after the first 20 or so pages, and then picked it back up again a few months later when i had nothing to read. It was very ahrd to get into at first, but as like evryone here has said, once you get past that first stage of “huh?’ the book pulls you in. Great book.
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This is a really idiotic book. My son had to read it for school. We both thought it was one of the stupidest things we ever read. It clearly takes advantage of the setting for emotional effect and beyond that is not really about anything at all.
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@ jane: I uess everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to me? Yours just seems shallow. Read deeper into the story, look at the symbolism. Didn’t you feel the ache in your heart when Liesel watched her brother die? When she was left alone, wandering Himmel Street, only to find Rudy Steiner, her best friend, dead? When she kissed his dusty lips and he wasn’t there to kiss her back? I had to read the book for school and my initial thoughts were that it was a little odd, but as you settle into the writing style, everything else begins to seem a little odd. I totally sobbed throughout the book. It was really, truly beautiful, and so utterly realistic; the writing style is so jarring but so fluid and flawless that you can’t put it down after picking it up. Completely loved this book 🙂
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I finished this wonderful book over the weekend and discuss it on my blog as well. (thecuriousreader.blogspot.com) It is beautiful and terrible at the same time, and I have been a little haunted by it ever since. Zusak is a word master and with words he breathed life into these memorable characters. I loved it.
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I personally was turned off by this book when I first saw the cover. I thought it’d be one of those boring history books about a trouble maker. Well, I was surely wrong. I honestly can’t remember if I hated the beginning or not, but I know once I started this book I couldn’t put it down. I am doing a packet right now, and one of the themes is “fantasy” Can anyone help me figure out why this is a theme. Thanks.
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I finished it about an hour ago. What a fantastic work. This and The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson are my favorite novels of 2008.
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I just read the Book Thief and our book club is meeting next week to discuss it. Your lead….I sobbed through the last pages….was exactly what I did. I am not sure if I’ll be able to keep it together at the meeting next week. I think what touched me was that prior to reading this story I was smug thinking that ‘I’ would never have been caught up in the mistreatment of other humans as the people in Nazi Germany did. When I read how intimidating and punitive the society was at that time….I really empathized with Leisel and her family.
What pushed your cry button?
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When I pulled The Book Thief off the shelf, I really didn’t expect the pulling power it had. I was jaded when I started reading (still am, it helps with poetry) and the thirty-page thing didn’t affect me. Yes, Death’s announcements were annoying at first, but you begin to enjoy the comfort of knowing the future.
It is a beautiful and sad book, my nose has been in it time and time again. Those who haven’t read it, do. In the end (yes, I’m going to spoil it a touch) I agree with Death, I too, am haunted by humans.
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My mother reccomended this book to me, and I took it a little apprehensive. I was interested by the Death prospective.
My mom had difficulty reading the first thirty pages, but as soon as I read the first page, I was mesmerised. I loved the little intrusions by the narrator, and loved it right away.
For all those who put the book down, please, grab it again! It’s such a wonderful book. You’ll really appreciate it!
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This book has impacted my life very much. I adore every character in the book and with its tragic end i sobbed like there was no tomorrow. In my opinion this is the most phenomenal book of the decade.
But why might someone admire liesel?
at the end of the novel i find myself subconsciously admiring liesel, but why?
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You may not like the narrative view at the begging, but at the end it is beutiful the way he talks
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I LOVE THE BOOK THIEF!!! It is an amazing book. I took it to Cross-Country camp with me and every day I would go down by the river, stick my feet in, and read for hours! Its like once you get into it you just can’t stop. I don’t know why they saw it is an young adult book, I know tons of teens would would love it. The begining was a little odd. I mean I have never read any book quite like it but after a few minutes I was totally hooked. I started having to read this book for school but it was soon a more enjoyable thing than an assignment. It really opens the door for us to see what the lives would have been like for the people in Germany during this crisis. We sometimes get so use to just hearing about our situtation and never take the time to consider how this affects “the other side of the story.” This is more than just a novel… it is a reality check for those who only care about what has happened to us in the past. 🙂
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I hated for this story to end. Finished it today and cried to the point that I was having trouble reading. It made me so sad for the innocents that lived in this time and the burden that the survivors carried. In so many ways “Death” was a rescue. Contrary to some, I was fascinated at the beginning and the style kept me wanting to read just the next few pages. A satisfying and moving book that I immediately passed to a friend.
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Many of you have commented about books listed as YA (young adult) turning you off. I was a children’s librarian for 30 years before retiring. YAs were my favorite genre! If you’d like another YA that will blow your socks off try A DAY NO PIGS WOULD DIE by Peck. It doesn’t get much better than a really good YA book! They ain’t for sissies!
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For a task at school (high school) we were required to review a book of our choice. Upon reccomendation from friends, I picked this one up and began to read. I do agree, the story begins a little slowly, but I absolutely love Death’s narration especially in the introductory chapter at the beginning.
The language and vocabulary is astounding, I had to look a couple of words up in order to gain a better understanding. The use of metaphor and imagery is also beautiful, and I can see why this is such a reccomended piece of literary fiction. I have since persuaded at least five people to read it, and that was when I was only half way through!
As a history student, this was particulary useful as a reference for attitudes and historical facts regarding the Nazi’s and their treatment of minorities.
I’ve got less than 80 pages to go, and i’m a little worried now that everyone is saying it was a real tear-jerker. It’s a shame it had to come to an end, I really do love it.
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By far the best book i have ever read in my life. Although i am still only a young adult of 18 and i have plenty more years of reading to do, i dont think i will ever find a book as well written as this one. I was caught from the beggining and i never put the book down. I was in school when i read the end of the book. i ended up in the nurses office bawling like a child saying my tummy hurt just so i could cry because of the book. 🙂 it worked. I have read the book 4 times and i have passed it on to over a dozen of my friends who all fell in love with the book. I am a huge fan and i encourage everyone of all ages to read and enjoy this book.
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I have read this book but not complete. In one or two days I will finish this book. this book is very good
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If you are one of those people that put the book down, you should really pick it up again. I read it in 9th grade and loved it. I will never understand the Young Adult description of it, because I have a hard time believing a middle schooler would understand the impact of this book. I loved all the characters, and cried at the end. I am not a sappy person either. I gave it to my grandma and she loved it. It is probably the most well written book of all time. The other book by Markus Zusak “I am the Messenger” is really good too, i read that one right after and amazed at how well he writes. This book is the best book I have ever read and probably will be unless Zusak can come up with something even more amazing.
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I just finished this one last night and also cried through the last of it. It’s just an amazing book. great review.
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i’ve just read the book, and i loved it!
I actually didn’t have any problem at all to come into the book, and it was the first pages that really sucked me in. I think the way death is telling the story is splendid.
Other than that, all i have to say is that it is an amazing story that really touches you.
ps. sorry for my bad english.
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I had to read this book for summer reading for my school. I checked it out and started reading it. Then I got so bored that I decided to give up on it, but since it is my homework I had to continue and eventually I understood why the author wrote it like that. The first few chapters were used to make the setting and give the readers this mood. After that I was really into the book and I absolutely loved it! I cried when Rudy… well… you know… because he was my favourite character! I wished hard that everything would work out… but apparently it didn’t.
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Well, actually, if we read the end, Death is talking to an old Liesel. Cars drive by. In one of them is Rudy and the rest of the Steiners. They’re together in the afterlife. She is also with Max, Hans, and Rosa. It is a bittersweet ending. And she seemed willing to go with Death. We can infer that she knew where she was going and who she would be with. It is sad Rudy died so young (I cried too!!! Right in the middle of class!!), but he had to die at some point. Plus, we know Death really cared about Rudy. So yeah =) It can be a happy ending!
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I am sixteen and I recently read this book, for my English Project and I love it. I love the whole thing about Death. I also felt that the book wasn’t that great at the start but then once I got use to it, I couldn’t let go of it. I completed the book in 1 and 1/2 day. 🙂 I never read a book so fast normally I took a 4-5 days or 1 week max to finish a book… I really thank Mr. Zusak for writing such a wonderful work… I cried the life out of me, when the end of the book was approaching.
Stefanie you have done an amazing review. You know I wonder sometimes, If Max and Leisel wear together later. I know its just random but the way, Max hugs leisel at the end of the book is suspicious… What do you think?
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Okay This Book Is Weird , But Im learninq Alot . I Probally Wouldnt Read It If It Wasnt For School .. Althouqh i Give Markus Zusak Props For Cominq Up With Such a Intrestinq Dialoq .
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I’ll have to give this another chance. I read a few glowing reviews but have put it down twice as I found the narrative voice twee and annoying. I also thought there was a lot of over-describing things to little purpose. Hearing that it gets into its stride after thirty pages or so is encouraging. I have been trying to finish everything I started and this (recently) has been the only one I couldn’t face continuing with.
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I’m having trouble starting a new book. I was so sad at the end I actually cried a bit. I want to read but whenever I think about it I just get all sad. I know there are other books out like this, but I kind find one as good as it. I need a book exactly like this, with the same amount of jokes, sadness, inspiration, and connection to the characters as this book. It was interesting to find a book that I can’t stop thinking about, one that made me too hate and love words. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to enjoy reading a book again like I enjoyed reading the book thief. I just hate that it ended. Sometimes I wish that books like this, or maybe just this book, just went on forever.
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