Hello reader,
Before reading The Book Thief, I’ve read talk about it and I
decided to check out some reviews. The first one was written by a young woman
who was so mad about the book. She wrote that the book made no sense and that
it’s narrated by death for no reason whatsoever. This made me want to read the
book even more. What literary crime did the book commit to inspire this person’s
ire? And you know what? I’m so glad I read the book.
 |
| Image |
The book follows a young Liesel Meminger, whose mother takes them into foster care because she couldn't care for them. Unfortunately, her brother dies on the way. The story is set in Germany during World War II. The very first book
Liesel steals is called The Grave Digger’s Handbook, which she stole at the cemetery
where her little brother was buried. The book became her only link to the past
because she finds herself thrust into the care of Hans and Rosa Hubermann and
her mother disappears, never to be heard from again. Liesel’s new life at the
Hubermann’s becomes one of childhood innocent where Liesel befriends a boy on
her street and one of veiled excitement and danger; bought on by further book
stealing and the tension of the war.
One day a Jewish man from Hans Hubermann comes knocking at
their door, asking to be hidden and thus began a secret friendship between
Liesel and the young man by the name of Max Vandenbrug who is to have a
lifelong impact on Liesel’s life.
Perhaps at this point you’re thinking that it might be
similar to The Diary of Anne Frank but you’d be wrong. This book is much, much
different that it immediately sucked me into its pages and I was mentally
devouring it at every chance I got. What makes it brilliant is that it’s full
of metaphorical connections like Liesel’s book stealing, which formed a
catalyst that drives the entire story. In fact, it’s like 3 separate stories in
one; Liesel’s and the world outside, Liesel’s and the world inside and Death’s.
Each one is interconnected into one intense story. It's quite interesting because usually we don't hear or read about the effects the war had on innocent German children.
It’s understandable why the book is narrated by Death. It is
actually clear from the very first chapter (I mean, its set during the Second
World War! There’s bound to be a lot of deaths) and I was left wondering
whether the person who reviewed it has even read the whole book.
As for the characters, there’s plenty to make you fall in
love with (and make you wish you hadn’t). Liesel is quite a character that
young girls and even young women could aspire to be like. She’s strong, highly
intelligent, fearless and resilient. Props for strong female characters, yay!
Markus Zusack has truly penned a classic that I believe would
be read for generations to come. His winding of metaphors and multiple
storyline is done so well that it comes together like a colorful crocheted
blanket and I wish I could be as profound with metaphors or similes as he is.
This book can be read by adults and young adults alike because in all, it forms
a perfect metaphor for life. It thick (delightful for book worms) and I wished
it didn’t have to end but when it did it hit me like a sack of potatoes. I
wanted more; I wanted to have some kind of closure. You know why? Because there
are times when the book would take your soul and wrench it in half and times
when you laugh through the tears. As much as it’s full of sorrow, the book is
full of humour and above all that; it will change your life, whether you want
it to or not.
Have you read the book before? What did you think of it? Let's compare notes!
'Til next review,
-Bella
