Rating  - An beautifully told story
This may well have been the most beautifully written book that I've read in years. The story is compelling and the narrative is absolutely exquisite. This novel should be listed and marketed as adult fiction. The "young adult" categorization will turn some readers away and it will be their loss. Do not pass this one up.
Rating - I was only going to give this book 4 stars
but by the time I wiped away the tears at the end of it I knew I needed to give it five. This book was released as an adult book, rather than young adult in Australia. I picked it up, having never heard of it or anything about it. It was obvious from the first few pages who the narrator was, so I'm not sure why there seems to be a lot of reviewers who say they were confused about it. This book was very easy to read and did have an interesting storyline, coupled with loveable characters. All of the charactes have some flaw in their personality. That is what makes them real and that is what makes you relate to them. This is going to be one of those books that I continue to re-read for years to come.
Rating - Death Narrates Nazi Germany
Liesel Meminger and Death are not strangers. She saw him when he took her brother's soul. And he kept tabs on the interesting little girl throughout her life until it was time to take her soul. In between, he took the souls of many of her loved ones and even more strangers. After all, it was Nazi Germany, WWII was raging at home and abroad, and there was no lack of lives lost and souls to reap.
11-year-old Liesel was taken in by foster parents when her mother could no longer take care of her. Frightened by her new surroundings and by the recent loss of her brother, Liesel had heartwrenching nightmares night after night. But her new Papa, Hans Hubermann has a heart of gold and becomes the father she did not previously have. Her new Mama, Rosa, subscribes to the book of tough love and cuts Liesel no slack. But with her new parents and her best friend, Rudy, she finds a place on Himmel Street and finds herself. She discovers the power of words when her father teaches her to read and write. And it is these words that motivate her to become a book thief. She steals the books she cannot afford to buy and they become her most prized possessions.
This is a book of humanity set in a time when there was so little of it. It is the insight into the plight of the Jews as experienced by sympathetic Germans. It is Death's insight into humans and "his" observations of our nature. It is moving and beautifully written. The pages fly and you will not want to put it down. A unique perspective on Germany during WWII, this book is not to be missed.
Rating - Bravo!
This novel is a must-read for everyone, young adults and adults alike. I was completely captivated by this story and the style in which it was written. Zusak's approach to Death as the narrator is unique and engaging, and his voice is sometimes cynical, sometimes sympathetic. He tells the story of young Liesel as she is sent to live with foster parents outside of Munich in the heart of Nazi Germany during WWII. The relationships she forms over the next few years are so compelling: Rudy, her best friend, Hans, her adopted Papa, Max, the resident Jew in hiding, the mayor's wife who owns an enviable library, and a cast of others who add so much dimension to this novel. Mostly, though, it is about Liesel's love of the written word and her determination to acquire books at any cost.
The most captivating part, however, is the last 30 pages when Liesel's story comes to a dramatic end. Be prepared to have some tissue on hand and to sit quietly for a time to ponder this extraordinary book. I will forever be haunted by the quiet silver eyes of Papa, the incessant cursing of Mama, and the lemon yellow hair of Rudy. But especially, I will not forget the image of Liesel finding comfort in books during a tumultuous time in human history.
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