The Book Thief

I downloaded this book over a year ago after being gifted Amazon credit for Christmas. I think I tried to read it but I skipped the Prologue (a big 90-page mistake on my part). I decided to give the book another chance as I didn't have any available library books. Fortunately for me, a snowstorm hit eastern Pennsylvania and the rest of the Northeast which canceled two days of class and kept me indoors with my Kindle for warmth (pun intended).

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Genre: Historical fiction, WWII fiction
Publication date: March 2006
Setting: A fictional town outside of Munich, Nazi Germany; 1939-1943

Before I dive into the characters and plot, the writing style of this novel is off the charts. The book is narrated by Death, which sounds macabre, but Death is actually pretty likable. He presents himself as a man who is just doing his job in a time of turmoil. He dislikes the war because it means more work for him, an interesting way to view war. But through his "work" he is able to meet Liesel, the book thief and the protagonist of this story.

Liesel is a pre-teen girl who is adopted by Hans and Rosa Hubermann, Papa and Mama respectively. Rosa is loud and her favorite past-times are to complain and refer to Liesel as "saumench" (meaning filthy pig). That's not to say that she doesn't love her adopted daughter, she just has an off-way of showing it. On the other end, Hans is a very kind Papa, who helps Liesel learn to read and enjoys playing the accordion. Hans and Rosa are poor and have a difficult time finding work for two reasons: 1) the struggling wartime economy and 2) Hans's reputation of befriending the victimized.

Then there is Rudy Steiner, the Ron Weasley of the story. Rudy is Liesel's best friend and neighbor, he is one of six children, and his family is poorer than Liesel's. Rudy also has a rebellious attitude and idolizes Jesse Owens. Rudy and Liesel's relationship is almost strictly platonic, I say almost because almost every day he asks her for a kiss. But they go on many adventures together and stand up for one another.

Last, there's Max Vanderburg, the artist, the writer, the fighter, the Jew. That's all I will say about him... I don't want to spoil anything.

I liked how this book wasn't from the discriminated Jewish perspective (like Anne Frank or Night), but detailed life of the regular people lived and worked in Nazi Germany. How the kids reacted to and participated (or not) in Nazi Youth. How war and a dictatorship effected even children's lives. How these people, adults and children, perceived the Fuhrer. What actions these people took in opposition, support, or neutrality. The book also considers the German soldiers who went to war out of obligation and did not support Hitler. These points of view interest me because my grandmother was one of these people (she was a toddler when the war started). How do normal people live their life amidst so much chaos?

The story follows Liesel's obsession with books and with words. She steals a book without knowing how to read, but realizes the significance of the artifact, and eventually, the importance of language. All of this occurs during a time when one man's words were able to change the world... Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can start a war.

Finished reading Tuesday, January 27th

DD's rating: A+
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys reading (it's about books). This is a must read for anyone with an interest in World War II or the Holocaust. This is a must read, period.

Next read: The Martian by Andy Weir