A Rare Novel Indeed — The Book Thief

Usually, I read books quickly. Rare is the one that makes me slow down and savor the story. The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, is one of those rarities.

Book Thief - Book CoverThis story of a young girl, Liesel Meminger, in Nazi Germany during the Second World War is composed of compelling characters the reader lingers over and strong writing.

Liesel steals books. The first is at her brother’s funeral when she steals a gravedigger’s handbook. Later she steals from the bonfires used by the Nazis to burn books. She also steals from the personal library of the mayor and his wife. The author provides a delightful twist to this last plot line which I won’t spoil here. Her foster father uses these treasured books to teach her to read.

Liesel grows up physically, psychologically, and emotionally as she experiences courage, friendship, love, survival, death, and grief. And we follow her from her brother’s death and her placement in a foster home through fearing and then loving her foster parents.

Through her eyes we see the brutal horror of Nazism.

And we see tender humanness as well. Her foster parents hide a Jew, and Liesel becomes a willing participant in keeping the secret, even from her best friend, Rudy.

We experience Liesel’s foster father, Hans, a gentle, mild-mannered, almost timid man, exhibit true courage and bravery.Book Thief - Movie Cover Not only does he hide a Jew, Max, but he intervenes to help one of the Jews who are periodically marched through the town at their way to the Dachau death camp. Hans is whipped for his efforts. Liesel later follows his example by giving bread to another group being force-marched through town.

When the danger gets too close, Max leaves. Throughout the remainder of the book, Liesel is searching for him in the groups of Jews paraded through the town. Searching for the man who, from his basement-hiding place, wrote and illustrated stories about her. Stories that will touch the reader as they touched her.

The magnificent story of Liesel is made even stronger by Zusak’s writing. The story is told by Death as a first person narrator. This allows great insight into all the characters, and pulls us into their hearts. Zusak spins words to create descriptions and images that stay with you and reveal the people and the world of Nazi Germany. He gives that world a life that’s missing from the history books.

19 Jan 2005 --- Row of Old Books --- Image by © Royalty-Free/CorbisI found myself re-reading passages. Not because I was lost or confused. But to cherish and enjoy the writing and to relive the moment of reading it.

A rare book indeed—one that will pierce the heart and stay with the reader long after other stories have faded away.

4 Responses to A Rare Novel Indeed — The Book Thief

  1. Jennifer June 11, 2014 at 4:14 pm #

    This is one of my favorite books, mostly because of the exquisite phrasing and imagery. I too lingered over passages and reread sentences – just to soak in their beauty. PS: the movie adaptation is excellent, which doesn’t happen often!

  2. Henry June 11, 2014 at 4:16 pm #

    Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer. I was leery about seeing the movie now that I’ve read the book but your comment is encouraging.

  3. Darlene L. Turner June 11, 2014 at 11:37 pm #

    I’ve heard good things about this book. I’ll have to put it on my list to read! Thanks for your review.
    Darlene

  4. Henry June 11, 2014 at 11:54 pm #

    Thanks for visiting, Darlene. I believe you will really enjoy the story. Let me know what you think of it.

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