The Book Thief

Publisher:  Picador Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication Date: 2008

Format: Paperback I purchased myself

Rating: 4/5 I liked it a lot and recommend

About Book: It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier and will be busier still.By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

My Thoughts: “The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak is a powerful and poignant novel that takes the reader on a journey through the streets of Nazi Germany during World War II. The story is narrated by Death, who tells the tale of a young girl named Liesel Meminger, a book thief who discovers the power of words and their ability to connect people in the darkest of times. Zusak's writing style is articulate, with beautiful prose that evokes a range of emotions from joy to heartbreak. The characters are well-developed, each with their own distinct personality and voice, and the relationships between them are deeply moving. What sets "The Book Thief" apart is its exploration of themes such as loss, love, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. The novel is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Overall, "The Book Thief" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone who loves a good story. Zusak's work is a masterpiece that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.