The Book Thief: Book Review

 The book thief is a historical fiction novel penned by Markus Zusak set in Nazi Germany during World War II. The book follows the life of a young girl named Liesel Meminger who's father was a communist and who is sent to live with a couple named the Hubermans. Liesel steals a book at her younger brother's funeral but does not know how to read it. Once she does learn how to read, she steals more books, but in an innocent fashion, just to quench her thirst for reading. The story shows her beautiful bonds with her foster parents, her friend Rudy and a Jew they protect named Max and the events in her life.

The epic highlight of the book is that it is narrated by Death, which is personified. Through this, the author has pointed out the evils of war and the violence created by humans as Death recounts its journeys and view on humans and their doings.

The frank and beautiful writing will touch even the hardest hearts as the story follows the day to day events, joys and fears of people living in Nazi Germany that was wrought with war. Their relationships and how all they had was each other is heart rending. The hardships and sorrows are expressed in pulchritudinous words while the simple happiness is conveyed in a light hearted fashion. 

Another wonderful aspect of the book is that it portrays the innocence and the views, the thoughts and actions of a growing child in Germany that explicitly conveys the difficulties of life in a war torn country. The pages are peppered with incidents of various people's lives that might only last a paragraph but will leave our heart tugging at the sheer beauty of the words that held so much sorrow. This way, the author has expressed the trials and tribulation of various people from all walks of life in Nazi Germany.

'The Book Thief' has now been adapted as a movie, but the theatrical representation cannot compete with the original story due to the way Zusak has woven the words to capture our heart. The book is a highly recommended read for anyone and everyone as it tells the story of the indomitable human spirit, resilience and courage. Tragedy, light heartedness, survival, the simple joys of people during war, the fear and tension, the various events during the war shown through the eyes of the common man will leave us blown and touched. 

Written by: Ameya Harish