The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

"It's just a small story, really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, a Jewish fist fighter, and quite a lot of thievery ..." Narrated in the all-knowing matter-of-fact voice of Death, witnessing the story of the citizens of Himmel Street: When nine-year-old Liesel arrives outside the boxlike house of her new foster parents, she refuses to get out of the car. Liesel has been separated from her parents - 'Kommunists' - for ever, and at the burial of her little brother, she steals a gravedigger's instruction manual which she can't read. It is the beginning of her illustrious career. In the care of the Hubermans, Liesel befriends blond-haired Rudy Steiner, her neighbour obsessed with Jesse Owens. She also befriends the mayor's wife, who hides from despair in her library. Together Liesel and Rudy steal books - from Nazi book burning piles, from the mayor's library, from the richer people of Molching. In time, the family hide a Jewish boxer, Max, who reads with Liesel in the basement. By 1943, the Allied bombs are falling, and the sirens begin to wail. Liesel shares out her books in the air-raid shelters.
But one day in the life of Himmel street, the wail of the sirens comes too late ...A life-changing tale of the cruel twists of fate and the coincidences on which all our lives hinge, this is also a joyous look at the power of book to nourish the soul. Its uplifting ending will make all readers weep.

Reviewed by Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews on

5 of 5 stars

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Featuring:
Death, A Young Girl,
Hiding, A Love Of Books

Death serves as our narrator in this chilling novel. He quickly explains that he does not in anyway look like the grim ripper that pop culture has perceived him to be, such as wearing a black cloak and carrying a scythe, but instead is just like you and me... well sort of. Like a teacher who remembers a favorite student Death tells the tale of Liesel Meminger, a girl who he brushed past while doing his job.

We first meet Liesel Meminger by her brother's grave site during Nazi Germany. While mourning her brother she picks up The Gravediggers Handbook. I guess you could call it a memento. This memento begins the art of thievery and the need to learn how to read.

Soon after this event she is shipped off to a foster family, Hans and Rosa Hubermann. Hans and Rosa contrast each other nicely, like the "Jack Sprat" nursery rhyme. Rosa is short and never walks but waddles, while she appears to be a strict disciplinarian her seemingly ice cold heart is really made of gold. Hans is tall and lean with a very outgoing personality with a love for playing the accordion. It is also through him that Liesel learns to read The Gravediggers Handbook.

Just when things are getting settled on Himmel Street Hans fulfills a promise to Erick Vandenburg, who saved his life during the first Wold War. This promise was to do anything for his family as payment, that payment is hiding Erick's son Max, a Jew in his basement. Even though there is a constant fear that they may be found out life continues on as normally as possible. Not only are the Hubermanns closeting a Jew but they are also in close proximity to Dachau making Jews walking through their town a regular occurrence.

Throughout all this turmoil, Liesel Meminger continues to steal books from book burnings and the personal library of the mayor. Although, this ability turns out to be a blessing in diguise while in the neighborhood bomb shelter. Unfortunately, this also turns into a curse and her savior by the end of book.

What didn't I like about The Book Thief? It was extremely well written, and was an excellent young adult crossover with the subject matter being the Holocaust. I think because it described events in a way that didn't dumbed it down too much for adult readers, making them feel like they were reading a first or second grade level book, but was explanatory enough that a teen could understand it. I also really enjoyed that it was told from Death's perspective, this was so unique and original and actually made the reader feel empathy for him, maybe because of the sadness that comes with the job.

Liesel, her foster family and the residence of Himmel Street stay with you long after closing the book as they all seem so real leaving a huge impact on the reader. This is my second time reading The Book Thief and cried after completing it, I had a repeat preforming last week as well, which is hard to do as I've been stamped as an ice princess. Not to sound like a back cover, but this book is destined to become a classic.

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  • Started reading
  • 14 July, 2010: Finished reading
  • 14 July, 2010: Reviewed