Book Review : "The Book Thief" (2005) Marcus Zusak
"I am haunted by humans."
Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak,an Austrilian with German roots, tells the story of Liesel Meminger who is taken in by her new foster parents - Hans and Rosa Hubermann - like many other children who were displace during Holocaust. The narrative is unique in that it is narrated by Death. He meets her first while collecting the soul of her little brother, Werner, while they were on the train to Molching on that cold day. She captures Death's interest - seeing her watch her brother die - and stays out of curiosity leading to him witnessing her first ever book theft (though it is debatable if it can be calssified a theft), as she picks up The Grave Digger's Hanbook which possibly fell off from one of the digger's who helped bury her brother.
The novel is mostly character driven and is build around Liesel as she settels down in her new home and warms up to her new surroundings. Lesil finds a friend in Rudy Steiner, forms a strong bond with her parents and finds a kindred soul in the Jewish man, Max Vandenburg, to whom the Hubermann's give shelter in their basement. The tension in the narrative is build around this act against the regime and the consequences of it, as well as the ongoing war.
It is a beautifully crafted narrative that flows like a silent brook, taking you with it as it gives way to the obstacles in it path affecting its course. The narrative will warm you up and make you cry, each character will move you in their own way - the incidents, so real and immediate.
Highly character driven, you should give time to the 500 pages of the book, and take it at the pacing it hits you with. It was a slow read for me, but I ended up loving it. The characters made me cry in the best way possible.
Despite being set in the most tragic of situations, it's about the goodness that people could processes and the ability to be kind. It is about friendship, love and families found.
That being said, it could be a hit or miss. But you wouldn't know unless you try.
The film adaptation of the same name was released in 2013, directed by Brian Percival.
"He does something to me, that boy. Every time. It’s his only detriment. He steps on my heart. He makes me cry."
Post a Comment