Book Review: The Book Thief by Mark Zusak

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Goodreads Blurb:

It's just a small story really, about, among other things, a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery.

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist: books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids - as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

Yes, I've finally read The Book Thief!  I cheated though... About halfway through the book, I watched the movie.  I almost didn't pick the book back up again because of the ending!  Don't worry though, it's a good ending - really :)  So with that confession aside, let's get to the book review.

This book is most definitely an onion book.  It took me like 2 months to read (which is a lifetime for me and books) to even try and decipher the most prevalent of meanings.  You can choose to dig deep or swim on the surface.  The level at which you read is entirely up to you.

I actually finished this book a while back but it took me a while to collect my thoughts to write a coherent review.

This was a captivating book, but at the same time, I found myself reluctant to pick it up.  I'm still not sure why.  Maybe because it felt like I was truly there.  That's happened before while I've been reading a book, but this one is special.  Every painful moment, I was wincing along with the characters.  In almost every other book I read, I know that the main character will survive and the person he/she loves and they'll be okay even though some of their friends may die or move on.  Not in this book.  This book felt so much like real life that it also picked up the uncertainties of real life.  You don't kno whow things will play out or end up.  It may be wrong of me, but that's why I docked half a star.  It's still going on my favorite list though - don't worry :)

The thing I love most about this book is that it's from Death's perspective.  I've never read a book like that before.  It added a whole new element to the story which pushed it to the next level.

While reading, I got to know the characters so well.  This certainly isn't a fast read, but it's a deep one.  I wish more books connected with me like this one did so well.  It may have taken a long time to read, but every second was worth it.

This is a totally ordinary story.  But it's also so extraordinary.  Read it and you'll know what I mean.

This isn't a shallow story about a girl who lives in Germany during WWII.  You can certainly read it that way but I prefer it as something more.  That something is going to be different for everyone which is what makes this book so amazing.  If you haven't read The Book Thief yet, I strongly encourage you to.

4.5 out of 5 stars!

“The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.” 

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” “I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” 

“I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn't already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.” 

“Even death has a heart.” 

“A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship.” 

“Usually we walk around constantly believing ourselves. "I'm okay" we say. "I'm alright". But sometimes the truth arrives on you and you can't get it off. That's when you realize that sometimes it isn't even an answer--it's a question. Even now, I wonder how much of my life is convinced.” 

“A small but noteworthy note. I've seen so many young men over the years who think they're running at other young men. They are not. They are running at me.” 

“I am haunted by humans.”