Someone get me the tissues || The Book Thief By Markus Zusak
'Narrated by Death, the story follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl living with foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann in Nazi Germany during World War II. While adapting to her new home, she is exposed to the horrors of war and politics.'
A few people recommended the Book Thief to me, and I got myself a copy and prepared myself for a struggling read; however, that was not the case. Instead, I found myself fully captured by the book, my mind wanting more from every page.
My favourite part of 'The Book Thief' was the narration. I love how the book is captured and told from the perspective of Death; I find that so unique and, if I'm honest, grasping. I love how Death narrated the story as if it were a tale for him to spin and craft as he wished. I love how he saw the world in colours and described them beautifully, capturing the scene in burnt oranges and blood reds. This book differs from anything I've read, and I'll treasure it closely.
“I wanted to tell the book thief many things about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn’t already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.”
I enjoyed how our author captured our characters. Each character introduced was well-fleshed out and very interesting to read about. I love how, in one scene, you could love a character completely, and in the next, you can't stand them - Markus Zusak took his time fleshing out these characters and making them feel real.
The part that got me the most was the ending! We see this incredible growth of characters only to have it ripped away. While reading the last few pages, it felt like someone was reaching within my chest and squeezing. I sobbed like a baby and didn't even care. The ending to this book and the conclusion to the Book Thief's life was phenomenal, and it's one of the reasons this book has become a favourite.
“I am haunted by humans.”
Overall, reviewing The Book Thief has taught me much but also taken a lot. It will be a favourite of mine for a long time, and I can't wait to re-read it again. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys believable characters, war stories and a good cry.
Have you read The Book Thief? Did it make you cry?
