Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Publication Date: March 14th, 2006

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Genre: YA/Historical Fiction

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Synopsis:

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery.... Narrated by Death, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist – books. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever they are to be found. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, Liesel 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.

My Thoughts: I opened up this book with absolutely no idea what I was about to read. I never even read the synopsis. I picked it up at the library because it's on the top 100 YA books list I'm working on. Well I can say for sure that it earned it's place on the list by all means. This book blew me away.

The whole story had this very poetic feeling to it. The style of narration was incredibly beautiful, unique, insightful, and moving. I felt like the doors to my mind, heart and soul were being opened throughout the course of the story. This book is definitely one of the most touching, emotional stories I have ever read in my life. I feel as though I will carry it with me for a very long time.

Every character in this story was so vibrant, and pulsating with vitality. Their personalities leaped off the pages and smacked you in the face. I became immensely attached to the main character, Liesel and I'm sure that's what Zusak was aiming for because it makes the story that much more riveting and captivating. I think also, that having such a love of books helped me to bond with her as well, as I'm su re it would with any book lovers and avid readers.  Markus Zusak has an amazing talent for writing. One that rivals most I would say. This is the first book I've ever read by him but it definitely won't be the last.

The story is so unique in every single way. His use of words is mesmerizing, they create this world that feels so real and you get so wrapped up in it. The story is narrated by "death", what we would think of as the grim reaper. If that isn't a unique way of telling a story then I don't know what is. It might sound strange, but he worked it amazingly.  It's a story within the events of the holocaust that sheds so much different light on it. While it was never over descriptive in it's more darker events, it was still so devastating at times. There were times I had to stop and give myself a minute, and a lot of times I could not stop myself from crying.


One of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. Hopefully it won't be the last time I read it. I need to buy a copy for my shelf so I can more easily share it with others. I recommend this book whole-heartedly to absolutely everyone. This book will surprise you and amaze you. Do yourself a favor and go read it.