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A review by leospressos
La Voleuse de Livres by Markus Zusak
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Beautifully heartbreaking.
As you follow the story of Liesel ("the book thief"), you slowly realize every horror the Holocaust caused, including to the German population. The poverty, the obligation to follow the rules set by Hitler, not knowing what exactly is happening, the helplessness. But also trying to make the best of what they had and living in the moment.
The use of death as a narrator scared me at first, as it seemed like an almost cliche trope that could easily go wrong. Yet, it surprisingly works.
As you follow the story of Liesel ("the book thief"), you slowly realize every horror the Holocaust caused, including to the German population. The poverty, the obligation to follow the rules set by Hitler, not knowing what exactly is happening, the helplessness. But also trying to make the best of what they had and living in the moment.
The use of death as a narrator scared me at first, as it seemed like an almost cliche trope that could easily go wrong. Yet, it surprisingly works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Xenophobia
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide, War, and Injury/Injury detail