The Book Thief

Where do I start with this book? Well, its told by Death. Yes, Death, the anthropomorphic personification, the grim reaper, et al, you get the picture. It is a novel about the Holocaust, but then its so much more than that. It is the story of Liesel Meminger, or the book thief. It is an absolute gem. I give you credit Markus Zusak, this is one of the most inspiring, touching, humbling, and ultimately best books I have ever read.

Liesel Meminger is a young girl, 9 at the start of the novel, living in Hitler's Germany. The book starts with her younger brother dieing and proceeds from there. Well, actually it starts with the end of the book, and how Death comes to know the book thief so well, but that isn't revealed until much later; don't worry I'm not ruining anything for you.

So, how is Liesel a book thief? Well she steals books obviously, but it isn't quite that simple, she tends to fall into them more than steal them. Her first book comes from her brother's graveside, and is possibly one of her most cherished possessions. It is the grave diggers handbook, and she starts learning to read from it. The rest are stolen from fire, or the governess mansion, I'll let you discover all the intricacies for yourself. It makes for a charming addition to her character.

Soon, she and her mother arrive in Munich where Liesel is given to a foster family; notably, an anti-fascist family. It is an older man and his wife, he smokes hand rolled cigarettes constantly, she is as hard and tender as water. They raise her. They also house a Jew. A great deal more happens, they fall into economic despair, she learns to read and to write, she finds a friend, one who demands a kiss. The story in and of itself is charming, but Zusak does far more with this narrative than simply tell a story.

For everyone who is obsessed with finding all the little meanings and nuances in a story, this is for you. He packs it full of imagery and submerged meanings. He also explains them to you in a brilliant manner. Apparently it was on the NY Times bestseller list for children, this is beyond me. I suppose its a children's book in the same way Huck Finn is. At any rate, Zusak points out many of his interwoven symbols, ie color and all that jazz, using his narrator. He doesn't point everything out of course, but a great deal. More importantly, he tells you where you should be looking.

Ultimately, the book is slightly self-reflexive, a book about someone who loves books... Still, the story is charming, the characters are dynamic, interesting, and heart touching. Its chock full of literary value, I don't know what else can be asked for. Oh yes, its terribly depressing, but then it is about Nazi Germany, so what do you expect? A lovely read, and highly recommended.

If you like read:
Night - Elie Wiesel
Everything is Illuminated - Jonathan Safron Foer