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A review by beth_books_123
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
5.0
2nd best book of 2016!
Ranked #2 (out of 18) of my holiday reads
A beautiful story set in one of the worst times known to humanity - 5*
I'm currently sobbing on a sun bed. Thank you very much, the Book Thief. The tears I shed were full of heartbreak and naivety. The time this story is set in, there were obviously going to be deaths and some of the deaths were going to be heartbreaking. I did prepare myself (and the book prepared me) but still I'm sat here and I'm sobbing my little heart out.
The writing is beautiful and the issues dealt with are subtlety and appropriately managed. I might want to wish that this never happened but unfortunately, reality sucks and it happened.
I am fascinated by Germany pre and post WW2 because I think everyone forgets about everyday people (like Hans) that not everyone in Germany during that time were Nazis. Some people still had faith in humanity and cared for people because they were people. I don't know if it's because I'm British but the Germans during WW2 are usually painted in the most awful light (for obvious reasons) but we often forget about those who were not the enemy and wanted it to stop as much as us.
This book was written so well that I'm actually stunned. I'm not used to such well-crafted novels. The use of death as a narrator is so clever and it makes it much more heartbreaking. Yes, I'll admit it: I empathise with death. The narration was so brutal and honest - it was painful for me to read. Everyone has a relationship with death and we either have to accept it (like an old friend) or fight and we all knows who wins...
Anyway, I'm getting distracted. The characters written were full of depth and beauty. I can't even talk about any of the characters because it upsets me too much. (I have a book hangover.)
I don't think I'll ever forget the events of the Book Thief, the things it taught me and the love it showed for everyone and everything.
Truly heartbreaking but a must-read for all.
Everyone needs to understand the power of words and this book shows it beautifully.
I need to read it again.
Ranked #2 (out of 18) of my holiday reads
A beautiful story set in one of the worst times known to humanity - 5*
I'm currently sobbing on a sun bed. Thank you very much, the Book Thief. The tears I shed were full of heartbreak and naivety. The time this story is set in, there were obviously going to be deaths and some of the deaths were going to be heartbreaking. I did prepare myself (and the book prepared me) but still I'm sat here and I'm sobbing my little heart out.
The writing is beautiful and the issues dealt with are subtlety and appropriately managed. I might want to wish that this never happened but unfortunately, reality sucks and it happened.
I am fascinated by Germany pre and post WW2 because I think everyone forgets about everyday people (like Hans) that not everyone in Germany during that time were Nazis. Some people still had faith in humanity and cared for people because they were people. I don't know if it's because I'm British but the Germans during WW2 are usually painted in the most awful light (for obvious reasons) but we often forget about those who were not the enemy and wanted it to stop as much as us.
This book was written so well that I'm actually stunned. I'm not used to such well-crafted novels. The use of death as a narrator is so clever and it makes it much more heartbreaking. Yes, I'll admit it: I empathise with death. The narration was so brutal and honest - it was painful for me to read. Everyone has a relationship with death and we either have to accept it (like an old friend) or fight and we all knows who wins...
Anyway, I'm getting distracted. The characters written were full of depth and beauty. I can't even talk about any of the characters because it upsets me too much. (I have a book hangover.)
I don't think I'll ever forget the events of the Book Thief, the things it taught me and the love it showed for everyone and everything.
Truly heartbreaking but a must-read for all.
Everyone needs to understand the power of words and this book shows it beautifully.
I need to read it again.