A book narrated by Death (The Book Thief - Markus Zusak)

Member Name: nixtee

Product:	The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
Date:	25/10/09 (96 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A thoroughly enjoyable book that I didn't want to put down!

Disadvantages: Some maybe put off by it's length, but I could have easily read more.

They say never to judge a book by it's cover, but this is exactly what I did when I bought The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The cover with it's tag line of "When Death tells a story, you really have to listen" looked interesting, the blurb on the back pulled me in and the note that the book is a Sunday Times Bestseller told me I was in for a good read. Stood in a local bookshop, I was attracted to this book so much so that I paid the full cover price for it (£7.99).

Death narrates this story about a young girl who he... it... calls The Book Thief. Death seems captivated by her life, just as I have been captivated by this book (however, I didn't steal it!).

The Book Thief is a young girl called Liesel Meminger. She gains the name from Death when, at her brother's graveside, she picks up a book in the snow. The book is called "The Gravedigger's Handbook", it's the first time she steals a book and it changes her life. Liesel grows to love books and words (learning to read along the way), but they are not easy to come by for a poor girl in Nazi Germany, and so she soon starts to steal other books.

Liesel goes to live in Himmel Street in Molching with her foster parents, Hans (Pappa) and Rosa (Mamma) Hubermann. Hans is a kind man with an accordian (which is actually an important item in this book), where as his wife Rosa comes across as harsh and rude (though means well). Next door is Rudy and his family. Rudy becomes Liesel's best friend, the pair of them getting up to no end of trouble, with Rudy even helping Liesel to steal books at times. Although, while Rudy wants to help his friend get her books, he also hopes they can steal some food too to ease their grumbling stomachs!

The story follows Liesel's life on Himmel Street and beyond. Her papa's accordian leads them to getting a visitor, a Jewish fistfighter who must hide in their basement. Liesel is sworn to secrecy, but grows close to the Jew. They have common ground - they have both lost their family and have been taken in to Hubermann's house in Himmel Street, only Liesel can live freely (well, as freely as a young girl can in Nazi Germany) where as the Jew can barely leave the basement for the fear of what might happen, not just to him but to Liesel and the Hubermanns.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Book Thief and loved the style of Markus Zusak's writing. Notes, facts and announcements are dotted throughout, along with word definitions. For example, the word definition on the back cover of the book is as follows:

book thief n.
1. person who steals books
2. young girl saved by words

In parts of the book, Markus seemingly gives the game away such as when Death announces that later on we'll learn the fate of a certain character. Yet, the game isn't really given away, it's just a hint at what's going to happen.

At 584 pages long, The Book Thief is a lengthy book, but I enjoyed every minute of it and didn't want to put it down. The story takes us through a short period of Liesel's life, but one which has a profound influence on her life.

The story is about friends and family, and most importantly about words, both written and spoken and the influence they have on people. Liesel was saved by words.

While this book might not be for everyone, I found it an excellent read and even learned some German words along the way!

The Book Thief is now in my list of favourite books I've read and would recommend others to give it a go.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is currently available from Amazon at £3.98.

ISBN-13: 978-0552773898

Summary: A book about a young girl who steals books in Nazi Germany.