The Book Thief By Markus Zusak | BOOK REVIEW

So about a week ago I finished The Book Theif by Markus Zusak and was completely lost for words. I loved the book so tenderly and finishing it and putting it down was a difficult task. The Book Thief was a long book and over the time I became attached and so finalising the book with a review seemed like a horrible task. I very rarely fall so in love with a book that I become emotionally attached and feel protective over it, but it happened with this story, one I first struggled to get into. I think the thing that really encouraged and inspired my reading was watching the film first. I saw it on Sky and knew that I had the book hiding away somewhere, from the last time I attempted to read it. So I sat down and fell in love with The Book Thief.

The story follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl who has been fostered into a small home during World War 2. She is German but her parents were communist and have been sent away to concentration camps. Her brother is also dead and she finds herself somewhat alone until her step father begins to teach her to read. We follow Liesel on her journeys as she grows, learns to read and even hides a Jewish man from the world. What I love about this book is that Liesel is being taught to read and we too are progressing on this journey with her as German words are flung in amongst the narrative. We too have to sit and learn words, much like Liesel, in order for us to progress and understand the story.

What engaged me so much with the storyline was the desperation of the Hubberman's (her foster parents) lives. Growing up we are taught about the war but always from the English perspective. Never have I really delved into what it was like on the German side and it was incredibly interesting to read (even if the characters weren't real). It just showed that not everyone was truly for what their leader was trying to do. Not everyone wanted to fight and not everyone wanted to treat other people like they were being treated. It was such a though provoking book throughout as it really brought to life the horrors of the war from a child's perspective.

The book is so beautifully written. Narrated by death (you're finding the last sentence quite strange now aren't you?). We follow death as he tells us the story of The Book Thief, of her life and the many times they had close encounters. As we near the end the story takes a tragic twist, one we have been prepared for and already know is coming but still hits your heart with a strong blow when you reach it. It doesn't seem fair at all but also is somewhat fitting to the rest of the book. Very few books leave you feeling "changed" but this book will now always have a very special place in my heart. I would highly recommend it, but take my advice and don't stay up all night reading it because the ending hurts so much more when you are tired. It was a very bittersweet goodbye to The Book Thief as the last page came to a close but I cannot wait to reach for it in years to come with fond memories and a warmth of nostalgia. An amazing book and I have to give it a 5 out of 5 stars, purely because it is so wonderful.

Lots of Love,
Rebecca
xxx