Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I finally got around to reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak after hearing heaps of praise about it over the last year or so. Set in World War II Germany and narrated by Death, it definitely has its bleak moments, but the overall message is one of hope.

The narrative focuses primarily on Liesel Meminger, who is only nine when she watches her brother die and is left by her mother in the care of the acerbic, but loving Hubermanns. The precocious Liesel comes to enjoy her life in Molching, Germany, forging meaningful and heartfelt relationships with fellow troublemaker Rudy, the mysterious mayor’s wife and Max, the young Jewish man harbored in the Hubermann’s basement.

Using Death as the narrator, Zusak is able to take some liberties with the structure of the narrative, jumping forward and back through time and place to give the reader a broader view of a war-ravaged Europe and a peek into what lies ahead for Liesel.  This makes for a compelling and unique story.

Completed: January 3, 2008

Find: In a library or on Amazon 

January 20th, 2008  ♥  Books, Reviews  ♥  No Comments »