Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Genre: Historical Fiction
Plot: Lisel Meminger’s on a train ride to her foster parent’s house during WW2. Sadly they stop to bury her brother. There she finds a book and steals it. Though she can’t read it, yet. Her foster father, Hans Huberman, is a kind and gentle man who teaches her how to read it. This starts her love of reading and books. With her friend, Rudy’s, help Lisel begins stealing more books, whether at book burnings, or from the house of rich lady her foster mom, Rosa Huberman, cleans clothes for. Rosa is a strict woman who has a secret soft spot for Hans and Lisel. When she isn’t stealing books, Lisel is playing soccer with some of the boys who live in the neighborhood, including Rudy. Everything becomes infinitely more dangerous when Lisel’s foster parents take in and hide a Jew, Max Vandenburg, in their house. At first, Lisel is very weary of Max. After time, they become friends. Max begins writing a book for her, which they read together. One day, Hans is called to serve in the war. Then Max disappears. Soon the war begins to draw to a close. Bombs begin to drop in Germany, soon they make their way to Berlin, where everyone is living. Will Hans return? Will Max return? And survive? Will Lisel, Rudy, and Rosa survive as well?
Rating: 4.5 – There is a very unique writing style and great narrator.
Opinion: This is one of my favorite books. Even though I read it a long time ago, I still have fond memories of this book. There are parts that still make me laugh, or cry. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize who the narrator is. Markus Zusak is great a writing a snarky narrator, despite the time period. He also knows how to break your heart with his writing. This book is written in a very unique way. The narrator is constantly breaking the fourth wall to tell you random tidbits about the characters, himself, or German words. The narrator also gives you spoilers, but I was surprisingly okay with them. If you’re looking for a great WW2 book, with a great narrator, and snarky, dry humor, I’d highly recommend this book. This book has also been made into a movie. As usual, I prefer the book. There’s so much you miss out on because the lack of snark from the narrator.
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