The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – Spoiler Free Review

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Genre: Historical Fiction/Young Adult
Publication Date: 14th March, 2006
Publisher: Black Swan
Pages: 554
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

Going into this book, I kinda knew I would enjoy it and that it was probably going to make me a bit upset. I never expected to enjoy it this much and that it would make me cry. Besides the Harry Potter series, this is the first book to make me cry and I didn’t expect it to happen. But, I’m glad it did.

This is the 3rd Historical book I have read, one was Non-Fiction (Where the Outback Drovers Ride) and this and the other (Traitors Gate) was Fiction. I have really enjoyed all three of these books and I really want to read more Historical Fiction and Non-Fiction. I’m thinking of going for Code Name Verity for my new Historical Fiction read, any other suggestions??

Writing:

The writing is just amazing. I loved how this was written from the point of view of Death. That kinda confused me at first as to how that was going to work, but it did! It was amazingly written and it draws you in and you feel like you have met the Characters and you feel for them. The writing is key to what makes this book so emotional and that also makes it amazing and I don’t think the story would have been captured the same if it had been written from anyone else’s point of view.

Plot:

The plot was amazing and to me portrayed another level of seeing what it was like in the war at that time. There isn’t much I can say about as it just all felt so real and I kinda feel bad for saying the plot was good then, when in actual fact this crap was actually happening and it was beyond shitty.

I hope that makes some type of sense haha!

Characters:

The characters were amazing too and as I’m writing this I am realising that, that is how I have started every subject now.. My bad! But, oh well. Liesel was extremely interesting and at times I kind of forgot that was was only a kid in the book. Hans was an awesome character who just made you feel kinda warm and okay when he was talked about. Rosa at first, I didn’t know how to take her but when you realise that Saukerl and Saumensch is a name she uses for everyone, everything is okay.

Overall:

I adored this book and is one of my favourites. I know I say that about a lot of books, but this is probably my second favourite book that I read this year. Second to Miss Peregrine’s. Highly Recommend!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! No spoilers please!

FACEBOOK    /    TWITTER    /    PINTEREST    /    INSTAGRAM