Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak


A book narrated by Death?  Sounds like an odd concept, you'll have to read it to decide for yourself.

This story is a masterfully told from the perspective of Death.  Death meets Liesel and her family on her a train on the way to Munich. 
The mother is taking her two children to live with a foster family because she is not able to take of them any more.  Liesel's brother dies on the train.  At the grave-site Liesel sees a book in the snow.  She isn't able to read but is compelled to pick it up and take it with her. 

Liesel is taken to live with the Hubermann's (Hans & Rosa) where her foster father teaches her to read.  When she becomes more adept at reading her foster parents get her two books for her birthday.  She saves a book from a bonfire the Nazi party starts to rid the town of unwanted elements.  She also steals a few books for the Mayor's house. She shares her stolen books her family, including Max.  Max is a Jewish man, the son of the man who saved Hans in World War 1.  When the sirens go off and the townspeople gather tin the shelters, Liesel reads her books to her neighbors to help keep them calm.

This story gives short glimpses of Liesel and the Hubermann's as they cope with the world around them during a very difficult time in history.

Markus Zusak's masterful writing compels you to keep turning the pages.

Excellent story!!

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