Thoughts on The Book Thief

I recently read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. There's been a lot of buzz about this title due to the recent movie adaptation. I haven't seen the movie yet, but the book was really good. In The Book Thief the narrator, Death, follows and chronicles the story of a young German girl named Liesel Meminger during World War II. Liesel is sent to a small German town to live with foster parents after her mother decides she can no longer take care of Liesel and her brother Werner. Werner, sadly, dies on the journey to their new home, and Liesel is left alone with her new foster parents.

Thankfully, this isn't a story about an orphan being thrust into the care of cruel foster parents as so many stories are. (Why is that?) Liesel develops close relationships with her new mama and papa, Rosa and Hans Hubermann. Rosa isn't really the patient and nurturing type, and her relationship with Liesel is mostly devoid of open affection. In fact, her tone is often hostile and her speech filled with cursing. Although Rosa uses language toward Liesel that may be considered abusive, her affection for Liesel is expressed throughout the story.

The special relationship we see in the story is the bond between Leisel and Hans. Hans, quiet and patient, allows Leisel to warm up to her new situation in her own way and time while providing a kind presence, letting Leisel know that she is not alone. We see the sweet evolution in their relationship as Hans calms Leisel's nightmares, as they learn to read (stolen books) together, and as Leisel admires her father's music from his accordion, which she and Rosa cling to while Hans is at war.

The Nazi influence is shown as the children are sent through Nazi youth camps, men are called upon to serve in the military, and Jews are paraded through the streets while walking to concentration camps. It is quickly apparent that the Hubermanns are not supporters of the Nazi party, and they even take actions to oppose the Nazi treatment of Jews by taking in a Jewish man and trying to give bread and comfort to the Jews walking to their deaths.

The story provides an interesting view of WWII. I find that there are many many powerful stories told from the Jewish perspective during this time period, but this is the first time I've read a story from the view of resistant Germans. It was really interesting to consider the events through different lenses.

I've left tons of stuff out because I don't like to spoil books for others. You should read it! ;-)

What I Like Most

The first thing I noticed about The Book Thief was the beautiful writing. The phrasing is very poetic, which I just love. Also, as I mentioned before, I really enjoyed seeing the war through another perspective. I think we often forget how powerless many of the Germans were and how many of them were opposed to the Nazi party. They suffered their own kind of persecution, stripped of their freedoms and forced to go to war.

I cried buckets at the end of the book! I know I've really gotten into a story when I can't hold back my emotions in response to their circumstances. E.g. I punched the air a few times in HP5 when reading about Umbridge and jumped up and down when Neville kills the snake at the end of HP7. :-)  It makes the experience a journey to another world rather than just reading words on a page.