The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Type: Novel
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series: No
Pages: 552
Copyright: 2005
Publisher: Random House, Inc
Rating: 4.5 to 5


Summary: From Good reads
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.


Feelings:
I thought this book was classified wrong at the library when I checked it out and it was Juvenal Fiction. After finishing it I really think that it was in the wrong place. This is not a simple book. It is experimental, death narrates, the story of Liesel, a young girl in Germany during World War II. The topic is difficult. Death is not your conventional narrator either, he doesn't always like telling the story in order, or leaving the surprises until they actually happen chronologically. When he feels like it he tells, and then goes back and fills in the blanks.

I really enjoyed the book, even though it was quirky. The characters in the story are difficult and real. Liesel moves into a foster home when her mother realizes that being a communist is putting her children in danger. The Hubermann's are an odd couple, Rosa Hubermann is loud and loves to curse. Hans Hubermann is quite and gentle, and Liesel quickly bonds with him. Even though Hans doesn't have much of an education himself he and Liesel set out to read books together in the middle of the night when Liesel wakes up with nightmares.

There are many reasons to like this book it is well written and not your usual fare. I can also see why people might not like it. The experimentation, that I really enjoyed, would likely be it's downfall for many other readers. Don't let the Juvenal/ young adult category deter you from reading this book. I would recommend this book, however, those picking it up should know this book is not going to be for everyone.