The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

[KP the nut]

Nine-year-old Liesel lives with her foster family on Himmel Street during the dark days of the Third Reich. Her Communist parents have been transported to a concentration camp, and during the funeral for her brother, she manages to steal a macabre book: it is, in fact, a gravediggers’ instruction manual. This is the first of many books which will pass through her hands as the carnage of the Second World War begins to hungrily claim lives. Both Liesel and her fellow inhabitants of Himmel Street will find themselves changed by both words on the printed page and the horrendous events happening around them.

Please note, this thread will be unlocked on Feb 1st.

 

[ClairBear226]

I really loved this book. It's among my top favorites. I haven't seen the movie yet - got busy when it came out, and missed it in the theater. I won't give anything away at this point since everyone is probably just beginning it, but I found the point of view to be completely unique. "Narration" by the point of view of death during WWII? It put an interesting spin on things right out of the gate.

 

[KP the nut]

I haven't started it yet but it is in my Kindle wishlist. I will download it when I have finished my current read.

 

[Madhather]

I have read the book, loved it, but I will not see the movie as it has been my experience that I am almost always disappointed by a film based on something I've read and enjoyed. Part of the fun of reading is getting to use your imagination to create the story in your mind as your read. My characters never look or sound the same as the ones in the movie. I prefer to keep mine. ;)

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Hoping to start it tonight at bedtime. :)

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I started the book on my Kindle and I write notes as I read.

The talk in the first chapter about 'colors' is interesting and it actually keeps me reading the book wondering more about colors. I wonder why the sky is brown?

The quote by the narrator Death "you are going to die" reminds me of a TV show I saw, where one character said "Humans are the only creatures on earth that knows it's going to die." But in this case Death is talking more about human denial.

"I am nothing if not fair."

 

[Madhather]

@Ayesha I too like Death's use of colors, it is interesting how he uses the colors of the sky as a distraction from the people that are "leftover", the survivors that are left to mourn with broken hearts.

 

[shell]

I really struggled to get into this book, but I am glad I didn't give up, I did enjoy it eventually.

 

[amethist]

Going to download this one tonight.

 

[KP the nut]

I'm undecided whether to read this at the moment or not. I may leave it until later in the year. I feel in the need of old comfort books.

 

[amethist]

I feel in the need of old comfort books.

Right there with you KP, was thinking the same myself.

 

[Aelwen]

I actually got to read this for a class last semester and I absolutely loved it. The professor includes this book in her class every time she teaches it because so many of her students have ended up falling in love with it, and I am no exception (although Perks of Being a Wallflower was my favorite book from that class by far).

Everything about the story was perfect - compelling plotline, lovable and fully developed characters, and beautiful language, but it was the narrator who really stole my heart. Not many writers can actually pull off a Death character, but I was quite impressed with Zusak's version. I could really feel the weight he had to carry, physically and emotionally.