The Book Thief -A Review

Name - The Book Thief

Author -Markus Zusak

Pages - 552

Genre - Historical Fiction

Synposis

"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 accordion-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."

I had wanted to read the book for the longest time but the sensitive topic made me do otherwise. But as the summary says, the story is told by death and when death narrates the story, you got to listen. I read the book with many reservations and it is the least to say, I was surprised. The story is quite quirky in its writing style despite the heavy and sad topic that this book delved into. My curiosity got the best of me and I finally read the book. I never thought I could finish the 552 pages so fast. Zukas Markus does a marvelous job at giving us a glimpse of the life of World war II times. It is an absolute must-read. It was quite a surprise to see the title of the book match the plot of the terrific topic of the holocaust. The book is quite addictive, never the less.

The writing is surprisingly colorful, full of lightheaded yet deep metaphors and thoughtful descriptions. I was scared and so I turned each page with anticipation and caution. Instead, I soon found myself turning the pages promptly. The sentences in the book are poetry. Let me give you a glimpse.

“The song was born on her to breathe and died at her lips.”

“I..." He struggled to answer. "When everything was quiet, I went up to the corridor and the curtain in the living room was open just a crack... I could see outside. I watched, only for a few seconds." He had not seen the outside world for twenty-two months.

There was no anger or reproach.

It was Papa who spoke.

How did it look?"

Max lifted his head, with great sorrow and great astonishment. "There were stars," he said. "They burned my eyes.”

I am easily fascinated by words and poetry and so I glided from one page to another. The narration starts mature as it is done by death itself. His dialogue is sympathetic and weary in nature.

“So many humans.

So many colors.”

"I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."

And it slowly transitions into a child-like description when the point of view turns into Liesel's.

“The sky is blue today, Max, and there is a big long cloud, and it's stretched out, like a rope. At the end of it, the sun is like a yellow hole. . .”

I closed the book on a good note and happy heart actually which did not feel right somehow. So, I reserved my feelings for this book for a few months and am able to point out a few more points that I didn't notice in my first read. Here are a few.

The book after a few pages delves away from the topic. It doesn't actually focus on the act itself—rather a story of a family who tries to hide a Jew, from a child's perspective.

The story is not narrated by death as stated in the summary. His presence didn't add much to the story. Death's presence was equivalent to not being present. He appeared now and then as the narrator to give side notes and translate a few german words and give side notes.

It is not a holocaust book (which I am partially relieved). It cannot be put into a serious genre collection in my opinion. The book somewhat bypasses the severe situations that were the holocaust and the extermination of Jews in the first half of the book. It hurries towards the end with Jew Procession and Bombs attacks. The book also stayed away from the severe repercussions that Liesel's father might actually have for defying the Germans and hiding a jew in their home. I cannot help but compare the events in the story to "The Diary of Anne Frank" as both were written in a similar timeline. The scenario reflected in this book is far less grim and horrifying than in The Diary of Anne Frank. The book was mostly about watching Liesel get accustomed to her new surrounding. learn to read words and so the scenario and emotions portrayed are simple and straightforward, (mostly in white).

Nevertheless, I absolutely loved the book and as I neared the ending, my speed accelerated in anticipation. The characters were well-developed. They were given enough backstory and chances to show their development and gave us a chance to get attached to them. It was not a serious book in my opinion but a good book indeed. These kinds of books open gates to a discussion about our past, where we are and the direction into which we must spear. It also gives us a chance to know others' opinions that we might have overlooked (like me).

I'm still impressed by the book and will urge you to read this book and form your own opinions.

happy reading!