Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (September 11, 2007)
Book Summary:
It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath.
Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich,
who 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.
In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity,
award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us
one of the most enduring stories of our time.
My Thoughts:
I wish sometimes that there was an
excitement font! I would most definitely be using it RIGHT NOW (and let’s be
honest I’d use it A LOT)!!! This book was AMAZING; so well written!
Words have such a weight to them
and I think people really forget that. I hear a lot of talk about how words can
bring life or death depending on how they are used! This book brings that to
life! There are a few short stories interwoven within the story. One in
particular brings the weight that words do possess to the forefront. It
describes what would physically happen if you would see the impact of words. It
tells of bloodied lips and bruised faces.
I also found it quite interesting
that the narrator of the story is Death. (And not a scary death but a “well
educated,” and gentlemanly death.) The author lures you in with his beautiful
words, gets you hooked on the characters and their lives, and then sends you
(in my opinion) one of the worst fictional blows you could ever fear happening.
Talk about ugly cry.
I also adored the characters and
how they were developed. Hans Hubermann (Liesel’s foster dad) was my favorite
character in the story. What a wonderful man. He was so caring and compassionate.
I loved that he showed his passion for life without abandon. My favorite part
of the book is when Liesel and Hans shared champagne on the hot summer day…
BEAUTIFUL!!!
I would without hesitation recommend
this book. The amazon review says that it is for 12 and over but I wouldn't recommend
it that young. I would say late high school and above to fully understand!
