Happy New Year! I’m so excited for 2015 and all it brings.
The Book Thief… Where do I begin? It’s probably my favorite historical fiction novel I’ve read yet. This won’t be like many other book reviews I do. This is more of a “Why You Should Read This”, type of book review. (Kind of like a recommendation, with a touch of reviewing.)
It begins when Liesel Meminger is eight years old and riding on a train to her new foster parents. She doesn’t understand why her mother can’t take care of her anymore. Then, her brother dies. She steals a book at his funeral. And that’s where it all starts.
First of all, it’s narrated by Death. How cool is that?!?! Death isn’t this cold, heartless person either. He can be very sympathetic and caring. Just don’t ask him to be nice. Here are few of my favorite quotes from Death:
“Here is a small fact: You are going to die.”
“It kills me sometimes, how people die.”
“I am haunted by humans.”
I love Death’s voice. And Liesel interested him so much, he learned her story.
As for the story itself, it’s pretty much about a girl in Germany who takes books from wherever she can get them: book burnings, grave diggers, and the mayor’s wife. Her foster parents take in a Jew, and her whole perspective on life changes. I can’t say much more without spoilers. So just go read it. Like now.
As for the characters themselves, they’re so vivid I feel like I know them personally.
Liesel, the book thief, is probably one of the strongest girl I’ll ever read about.
She’s so innocent and naïve at the beginning, and at the ends she’s seen so many people die. I love her simplicity, loyalty and caring, and her fellow bookwormish tendencies.
Max, the Jew they take in, is a tough, strong fist fighter who is afraid of being caught. He can be quite poetic sometimes and loves words almost as much as Liesel. I love their special bond.
Rudy is Liesel’s best friend. Oh my gosh I ship them so hard. He’s incredibly loyal to Liesel, and it’s obvious to everyone except Liesel that he likes her. He would do pretty much anything for her.
And then there’s Liesel’s foster parents, who she calls Mamma and Papa.
Her momma is gruff, but you know that she loves Liesel. Her papa is an accordion player who teaches Liesel how to read. They have a really special relationship.
And the ending… No spoilers, but it actually made me tear up, which is super hard for me to do in a book. I looked kinda like this:
I give The Book Thief five out of five stars.
So there’s my (kind of) review of The Book Thief. Go read it. Like right now.
Have you read The Book Thief yet? If so, what did you think of it? And what other historical fiction novels do you think I should read and review?
Elizabeth
Walking the Written Path 