Thursday, May 13, 2010

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief was our Kewaunee Library Book Club pick for March. As I was down and out for so long, my book club members graciously postponed discussion until next week. I can’t wait to discuss this novel. The Book Thief was a unique and wonderful book, which is very hard to summarize and explain.

The Book Thief
is set in Germany during WWII. Liesel is a young girl who is sent to live with foster parents in Molching Germany. Liesel learns to fit in and love her new foster family as well as her scrappy neighbor Rudy. She is quite the trouble maker and part of it is that she likes to steal books. This is a great coming of age novel, but especially so as it is narrated by death, which visits Liesel’s young life more than seems fair. Liesel learns hard lessons about life as she grows up. There were good people and bad people and all sorts of shades of grey in WWII Germany. I can’t really explain more about this book adequately then to say it was excellent and I think everyone should read it. It made me cry at the end and I’ve thought about it a lot since I finished it.

Book Source: The Kewaunee Public Library

15 comments:

  1. I read this book a few years ago now and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am always pleased when other people discover how good it is.

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  2. I loved this book. Go your book club for delaying too! Discussing it would be great fun.

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  3. this book has been on my radar also. Thanks for the review! I'll have to get my hands on a copy.

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  4. Oh and the audio version is fantastic!

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  5. Narrated by death?!? how did I not know that?!? I'll defo be checking this out now!

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  6. The book sounds really good. I love this period in history.

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  7. I know what you mean about finding it hard to adequately explain about this book. I read it some time ago now and have had trouble writing a review as well. It is one of the best books I have read for a very long time

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  8. I think this is an excellent book. I also enjoyed I Am the Messenger.

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  9. I have this book but haven't read it yet. It sounds like a sad story, but I think it will be really good. I love when a book sticks with you after you've finished it- I think that is the mark of a really good book.

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  10. A favorite as well -- is on my 100 best books list. I have The Messenger on my TBR but haven't read it yet.

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  11. I love this one. I haven't read any think else by Zusak, though.

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  12. Sadly, no one in my book club besides myself finished this excellent novel. They said it was "too depressing." Although John did like the narrative structure and after I talked about it, he thought about finishing it. I'm sad.

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  13. This is on my agenda for the year's reading. It sounds terrific.

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  14. This was chosen as the July 2016 pick for my FLICKS Book and Movie Club (aka Rogue). But sadly I will be out of town when it is discussed!

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