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A review by burnt_amber89
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Although it was hard to read through the tears (especially towards the end), this was a wonderful experience. I absolutely adored all the characters, and reading this while the war in Ukraine just broke out made it all the much more poignant. It really makes the reader understand the effects of war on regular civilians, on kids, on families that just want to make the best of a dire situation, even on the side of the agressor. The innocence of Liesel only emphasizes on the absurdity, pointlessness, and incomprehensibility of war. The figure of Papa brings warmth, justice and humanity to the worst possible situation. Every single relationship Liesel forms with the other characters bring something unique and precious to the discourse, and the tale is told in such a spectacular way that I could barely put the book down.
The poetry of the text is incredible, it is so poignant, and yet extremely accessible. The fact that we know from the very beginning that the ending will be terrible doesn't make it any less dramatic, which is the sign that the book is beautifully written and that the characters are particularly believable. I honestly felt something akin to grieving at the end, and even several times throughout the book.
I had seen the movie prior, and even though I loved it, I can honestly and easily say that the book is far superior, in the sense that words convey so much more meaning than simply images. Words are actually almost a character in their sense, and they play an important role in the story, that I don't think I grasped while watching the movie.
In the book, you get to know the characters intimately, spend a lot of time with them, accompany them through some life-changing events in a way that is even more touching than in the film. The little details, the mundane observations, the everyday poetry really had an effect on me. It gripped me from the very first sentences to the very last ones, and my throat still aches now that I think about it again a few days after I finished this wonderful book. As far as I'm concerned, it's an easy 5*.
The poetry of the text is incredible, it is so poignant, and yet extremely accessible. The fact that we know from the very beginning that the ending will be terrible doesn't make it any less dramatic, which is the sign that the book is beautifully written and that the characters are particularly believable. I honestly felt something akin to grieving at the end, and even several times throughout the book.
I had seen the movie prior, and even though I loved it, I can honestly and easily say that the book is far superior, in the sense that words convey so much more meaning than simply images. Words are actually almost a character in their sense, and they play an important role in the story, that I don't think I grasped while watching the movie.
In the book, you get to know the characters intimately, spend a lot of time with them, accompany them through some life-changing events in a way that is even more touching than in the film. The little details, the mundane observations, the everyday poetry really had an effect on me. It gripped me from the very first sentences to the very last ones, and my throat still aches now that I think about it again a few days after I finished this wonderful book. As far as I'm concerned, it's an easy 5*.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fire/Fire injury