Review: The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 

Historical fiction

Five stars 

So this is one of my favourite books. It's quite popular, and although I originally read it for an English paper, which usually makes me dislike a book, it made me fall more in love. The story is set during World War II and follows the life of young Liesel, who is sent to stay with a foster family. She develops a love of reading, and soon begins stealing books to satisfy her hunger for words. The family eventually takes in a Jewish man, bringing the threat of the war to a new level. 

I am in love with Zusak's poetic writing style, with the descriptions and the dialogue and the movement of the words. There's just something so pure, so beautiful about them; I never want to stop reading. Hitler's influence is so powerfully experienced, and the relationships so incredibly depicted, the novel just sucks you in. But the most interesting and unique aspect of the novel is the narrator: it is written from the perspective of Death. (Zusak explains this literary choice in his interview.) I thought it would be strange, but he pulls it off beautifully. The character of Death is so deep and original and thought-provoking and a little sarcastic, you almost feel attached to him by the end. This is what I love most about the book, that the characters are so well developed. You feel such a connection to them, you empathize with them, understand them - that is what great writing creates. 

This is definitely one to reread. 

"How does it feel, anyway?"

"How does what feel?"

"When you take one of those books?"

At that moment, she chose to keep still. If he wants an answer, he'd have to come back, and he did. "Well?" he asked, but again, it was the boy who replied, before Liesel could even open her mouth. 

"It feels good, doesn't it? To steal something back." 

Also recommended: I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. It's a completely different story, but it's hilarious