tanadon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
A good take on a youth growing up in the Nazi era.
The confusion and emotions from the perspective of Liesel and the people she loved, unwilling participants being dragged through a war, was well illustrated.
The confusion and emotions from the perspective of Liesel and the people she loved, unwilling participants being dragged through a war, was well illustrated.
anaclaracp's review against another edition
3.0
To be honest I'm not quite sure how to rate this. I certainly liked it, but I didn't think it was amazing or the best book ever. It was very interesting and the writing was beautiful, even though I got tired very fast of all the little centered stops the narrator made. It's also very heavy and very sad, and it didn't make me feel good at all. So I guess 3.5.
giftsintogold's review against another edition
5.0
A well-written and moving story told about a youth in Nazi Germany. It opened my eyes and gave me new perspective on the struggles of that time and place.
whitls's review against another edition
4.0
My older sister, who is an english teacher recommended this book to me. It first started out as curiosity on the point of view the book was written in, which is through the eyes of death. I ended up really liking this book, not only was the narrator's point of view unique and put a spin on the story itself but I ended up gaining a new perspective on those who were either apart of or affected by the Holocaust. I fell in love with each of the characters, especially Liesel and Hans. Being a book lover this novel really made me appreciate the books in my life and opportunity I have to read so many.
Violence: a fair amount (I mean it does focus mainly on WWII and the holocaust)
Sex: none
Drugs/Alcohol: a bit
Language: plenty of language, part of which could be in german.
I would recommend this to anyone who is willing to look past the language to understand WWII and the Holocaust and those that were apart of it.
Violence: a fair amount (I mean it does focus mainly on WWII and the holocaust)
Sex: none
Drugs/Alcohol: a bit
Language: plenty of language, part of which could be in german.
I would recommend this to anyone who is willing to look past the language to understand WWII and the Holocaust and those that were apart of it.
katywhumpus's review against another edition
4.0
Death narrates this story of a young girl, in foster care in Nazi Germany. I liked the idea of Death being curious, in a slightly naive way, about a living girl - it made, what could have been a depressing tale, somehow sweet.
ioanaisreading's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars are not enough to rate this novel. I liked who narrated the novel; I swooned over the sometimes unexpected words chosen to tell the story; I was surprised that I ended up liking the characters I vehemently disliked in the beginning. I can't wait for the day I will reread this book.
***
From the first pages of the book I was drawn into the novel. It's the kind of book you want to read more of, but not so much and not so quick as to finish it too quickly - it's that good.
I thought the perspective it was written from was original (I, personally, don't know other similar books) and kept me on the edge of my figuratively speaking seat as I read. [I remember a line saying something like "I don't want to sound mysterious" and my first thought was "Are you kidding me?! I can barely breathe and I am so tense as I read these pages!"] What I also found as a pleasant surprise was that the characters were German, and only a very small number of them were the "victim" side in the novel, so the sad dramatic parts usual to a book about WWII were missing.
There aren't many characters in the novel, but you learn to love or not like them so much early on. But over the course of the 500+ pages you slowly reconsider your opinion. A timely used phrase makes you change your mind - Mama Rosa Huberman, who initially seemed cold and uninterested, sheltered the love and practicality needed in tough times; Rudy Steiner who appeared to be a pest turned out to be a loving constant in Liesel Meminger's life.
Papa Hans Huberman and the Jew Max Vandenburg are (not surprisingly) two of my favourites. Their presence is what makes Liesel be the person she becomes.
Another thing I liked was the lack of fake emotion and cheesiness. Although it kept hinting to things that would happen, it wasn't so suffocated with drama that it became stiff and over-analyzed. I think this is the right moment to admit that I was still so surprised to see "what happened next" that as I read the last 150-200 pages I went from one moment of shock to another.
I enjoyed the book so much that I like how I imagined it and I plan to not watch the movie, despite its raving reviews; I don't want to change the image I have of the characters and the setting.
This is the first book I read in 2017 and I couldn't ask for a better start.
***
From the first pages of the book I was drawn into the novel. It's the kind of book you want to read more of, but not so much and not so quick as to finish it too quickly - it's that good.
I thought the perspective it was written from was original (I, personally, don't know other similar books) and kept me on the edge of my figuratively speaking seat as I read. [I remember a line saying something like "I don't want to sound mysterious" and my first thought was "Are you kidding me?! I can barely breathe and I am so tense as I read these pages!"] What I also found as a pleasant surprise was that the characters were German, and only a very small number of them were the "victim" side in the novel, so the sad dramatic parts usual to a book about WWII were missing.
There aren't many characters in the novel, but you learn to love or not like them so much early on. But over the course of the 500+ pages you slowly reconsider your opinion. A timely used phrase makes you change your mind - Mama Rosa Huberman, who initially seemed cold and uninterested, sheltered the love and practicality needed in tough times; Rudy Steiner who appeared to be a pest turned out to be a loving constant in Liesel Meminger's life.
Papa Hans Huberman and the Jew Max Vandenburg are (not surprisingly) two of my favourites. Their presence is what makes Liesel be the person she becomes.
Another thing I liked was the lack of fake emotion and cheesiness. Although it kept hinting to things that would happen, it wasn't so suffocated with drama that it became stiff and over-analyzed. I think this is the right moment to admit that I was still so surprised to see "what happened next" that as I read the last 150-200 pages I went from one moment of shock to another.
I enjoyed the book so much that I like how I imagined it and I plan to not watch the movie, despite its raving reviews; I don't want to change the image I have of the characters and the setting.
This is the first book I read in 2017 and I couldn't ask for a better start.
kb_09's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up because I wanted to see he movie, and I like to read the books first. I wasn't fully sure what to expect out of the novel...
.. But it was AMAZING.
I could not put this book down!
Hopefully the movie lives up to this novel.
.. But it was AMAZING.
I could not put this book down!
Hopefully the movie lives up to this novel.
chelsbereadin's review against another edition
4.0
Not going to lie, I don’t feel I was as invested as I have seen others before. Idk if this is because I listened to the audiobook or what. I still loved the story though. I have to say that papa and mama dying along with Rudy was very sad, but I was so happy that Max and Liesel made it out alive and well. That deserved to have that.
Always sad but forever beautiful, that’s this book
Always sad but forever beautiful, that’s this book
mochim's review against another edition
4.0
I loved that book, I really did, bu half of the time I was sitting and just turning the pages bored because there were parts that were the same and I just grew tired of them. Yes it was a heartbreaking story and yes I did cry at the end. I really did not like the narrator. Half of the books I was like "Who is that guy?" I was annoyed and it turns out to be freaking Death. I also didn't like how the author just says "Ah, and to mention after a hundred pages or so everyone dies."
But after all it was a really good book.
But after all it was a really good book.
alexbooksandmre's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful and sorrowful book.
It was hard at the beginning, to get into the narrative, but I absolutely loved it by the end.
One of the books that will forever stay in my heart and that for sure i will re-read.
I cried.
My opinion about Death is once again, positive. Death is never a negative character. Death takes care of our souls till the last moment. We are not alone when we die, we won't get lost, thanks to Death. They will carry us, carefully and gently till we get on the other side.
It was hard at the beginning, to get into the narrative, but I absolutely loved it by the end.
One of the books that will forever stay in my heart and that for sure i will re-read.
I cried.
My opinion about Death is once again, positive. Death is never a negative character. Death takes care of our souls till the last moment. We are not alone when we die, we won't get lost, thanks to Death. They will carry us, carefully and gently till we get on the other side.