kira_nyanya's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I love this book so much. I've read this book more than 7x by now.
There is a movie too, but I will always recommend the book.
There is a movie too, but I will always recommend the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and War
sophie_111's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
pavlukan's review against another edition
4.0
People consider me a cold-hearted person because they rarely see me smile or brim with emotions. This is, of course, untrue for there are stories and events that manage to bring various emotions out of me. The Book Thief is one such story.
I wanted to cry. Truly. Once. Twice. Dozens of times throughout the entire book. Not to mention the period I'm going through right now, which made it easier for me to delve into the Liesel Meminger's younger years.
No child should experience what she had to in her lifetime. First, losing two dearest people to her: her mother and her brother. Then having to adjust in a new place, bonding with her foster parents and suffering watschens from the teachers and, to be sure, the Second World War. Losing everybody she loved in a single bombing, and survivng because of their basement, which had been deemed as "not deep enough" to earn the title of "bomb shelter".
Despite the initial German successes, life on Himmel Street wasn't particularly agreeable, yet Liesel (as other children at that time) found other ways to enjoy themselves. They played football, stole, fought, and, specifically Liesel, read books.
Words entangled her, consumed her, gripped her, although she didn't know how to read in the first chapters. Hans Hubermann, a character that I grew to love greatly, taught her, which would later save her life. And though that simple act of reading, they create an amazing and unconditional bond, which evolves in the positive direction only.
I daresay this is the greatest piece of historical fiction that humanity has ever seen. It gives breaks you down, uplifts you, disappoints you and then gives you hope.
4/5
I wanted to cry. Truly. Once. Twice. Dozens of times throughout the entire book. Not to mention the period I'm going through right now, which made it easier for me to delve into the Liesel Meminger's younger years.
No child should experience what she had to in her lifetime. First, losing two dearest people to her: her mother and her brother. Then having to adjust in a new place, bonding with her foster parents and suffering watschens from the teachers and, to be sure, the Second World War. Losing everybody she loved in a single bombing, and survivng because of their basement, which had been deemed as "not deep enough" to earn the title of "bomb shelter".
Despite the initial German successes, life on Himmel Street wasn't particularly agreeable, yet Liesel (as other children at that time) found other ways to enjoy themselves. They played football, stole, fought, and, specifically Liesel, read books.
Words entangled her, consumed her, gripped her, although she didn't know how to read in the first chapters. Hans Hubermann, a character that I grew to love greatly, taught her, which would later save her life. And though that simple act of reading, they create an amazing and unconditional bond, which evolves in the positive direction only.
I daresay this is the greatest piece of historical fiction that humanity has ever seen. It gives breaks you down, uplifts you, disappoints you and then gives you hope.
4/5
crystalgraces's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide and Racism
leiturasdalaura's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
meenaoz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
fowl_47's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0