The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ve probably had this book on my bookshelf for 10 years. Started and stopped it more than once. But, times being what they are, my TBR pile dwindling down as the library continues to be closed, out it came.
Not giving anything away, this is the story of young Liesel Meminger, aka The Book Thief, who arrives at her foster family at age 9. Spanning 5 years in Nazi Germany, the book is largely about her relationship with her foster father, who teaches her to read, the Jewish man they are hiding in their basement, and her best friend, Rudy, though there are strong moments with a neighbor, and the mayor’s wife, who understands Liesel’s passion for books.
Narrated by the voice of death, this is far from an uplifting read, though the lessons of the human spirit, of enduring love regardless of the circumstances, warm the heart nonetheless.
At close to 600 pages, it’s a journey, and the endless mentions of Saumensch and Saukarl (an insult meaning pig) wore on me quickly from the start. There’s doing something for effect or to make a point, and then there’s beating the reader’s head with a hammer. Repeatedly. Until they have a migraine.
But the need for ibuprofen is a small complaint for an otherwise uniquely written book. Because that’s what my overall impression is once finishing it. Not that it’s great, so much, as unique. And while it’s not what I’d call a page-turner, it definitely held my interest to the satisfactory end.
4 out of 5 stars.
GOODREADS RATING SYSTEM:
5: It was amazing
4: really liked it
3: liked it
2: It was okay
1: didn’t like it