Book Review: The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Rating 10/10
Hello and thanks for joining,
Let me start by saying this is my third time reading this book, and this is also the third time it has made me cry like a crazy person. I think everyone should read it. It’s one of those books that will stay with you forever and that will make you think. Is there anything better than a book that makes you think and cry at the same time? Yes, a book that can also make you laugh.
This is a spoiler full review. Read the book You will be happy you did. Come back. We can talk.
First things first; this book is told to us by Death. I think this is the best narrator’s choice ever. It especially works because a book like The Book Thief needed to be a universal narrator that could relate and sympathize and mock everyone equally. When reading this book you feel like you get to know death and that is a magical feat. Marcus Zusak is a genius. Death knows how the story is going to end and he tells you exactly what's going to go down. There are no real surprises to the plot. The beauty of this book is that you keep reading for the characters and you cry despite knowing what's coming. I cried more on my third read than I had on the previous reads. My book has tear stains. It literally drowned in my tears.
The Book Thief takes place in Germany during WWII, which is not a setting you find every day. IT tells the story of the people who are not rich, are not influential, they don't change the outcome of the war, they are not monsters. It’s the story of the people who have been silenced by history and I love those people very much. They deserve a happy ending. They didn't get a happy ending of course. This is a war story, and war and Death do not discriminate based on whether or not you're a good or bad person. That’s the tragedy of The Book Thief.the tragedy and beauty, because we know what end came for Hitler and how history remembers him.
The relationships in this book are a masterpiece. Everyone is connected to each other in so many fine threads, and yet those threads are unbreakable. In many ways, this is a testament to how great each character is on their own and how bright they shine. There is no question that these are individuals and not caricatures created to fill a cast. When you have people so vivid, you have no choice but to create wonderful relationships. We have friendships that I aspire too. Both Leisel and Rudy, “He was the crazy one who had painted himself black and defeated the world. She was the book thief without the words”, and Leisel and Max, “One was a book thief. The other stole the sky”, have made me cry. There is the parental relationship between Leisel and her adoptive parents that shows just how much love can exist blood tie or no blood tie. There is a relationship between the Steiner family. The fact that the father joined the army to spare his son only to come back to find everyone dead gets me. It gets me to the point where I am crying right now. There is just so much to talk about. If I were to break every single thing down I would be writing this review into next year.
There are so many beautiful scenes in this book. Some are inspiring, and some break your heart. Honestly most break your heart. There is the scene where Hans teaches Leisel to read even though he has difficulty himself. There is Max covering up the words of Mein Kampf with his own story of love and hope and friendship. There is Rose sleeping with an accordion strapped to her chest. There is the Jesse Owens scene. There is the airplane and the teddy bear. There is, Hans and the bread and the Jew. There is Leisel joining Max in the march. There is Rudy climbing into the river. And of course, there is the ending line spoken by death “I am haunted by humans.” So am I.
I could go on and on about this book. Instead, I will make a little list of some of my favorite quotes. There are just so many that I can’t resist.
“He does something to me, that boy. Every time. It’s his only detriment. He steps on my heart. He makes me cry.”
“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.”
“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”
“A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.”
“I have to say that although it broke my heart, I was, and still am, glad I was there.”
“So much good, so much evil. Just add water.”
“It was a Monday and they walked on a tightrope to the sun.”
“As always, one of her books was next to her.”
One of the Jews on his way to Dachau had stopped walking now. He stood absolutely still as the others swerved morosely around him, leaving him completely alone. His eyes staggered, and it was so simple. The words were given across from the girl to the Jew. They climbed on to him.
“They were French, they were Jews, and they were you.”
I will stop there. I can't possibly copy the whole book here for you. You just have to read it. Please read it. Love you all,
Anna
