The Book Thief

Growing up in Germany on the cusp of WWII is a challenging task. Liesel, a scrawny nine year old girl is repeatedly impacted by war, by hatred and by loss throughout this novel. Fortunately because she is a child, she is also able to be influenced by constant love, strong community and true friendship.

Abandoned to a foster family in Munich, she arrives heartbroken and hopeless. She is taken in by an older couple whose grown children visit seldomly, and who are in need of the stipend that taking care of Liesel will garner. Times are tough in Germany. Hitler's influence is gaining strength throughout the country where people are tired of not having enough food, not enough work, and not enough aid.

The Book Thief is narrated by Death (as you can imagine, with war imminent, Death was everywhere in Germany during this time). He encounters Liesel for the first time as they both watch her young brother die. She will cross paths with Death many, many more times before this amazing novel is finished.

Death is touched by Liesel, by her words, as no other human has done before.

Her words, and all written words...their power, their influence, their beauty, their confinement and freedom are the essence of this book. The author, Markus Zusak not only understands their power but displays a mastery of them that is uncanny.

Descriptions of sunsets, smiles, and sadness are unique and poignant. Not only is the story an original view of life behind the Fuhrer's crazy control, it is exceptional because of the language used to describe the hard life that all Germans lived - whether they supported the Fuhrer or not, they all were impacted by the misery of war.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I loved it. You would think that a story narrated by Death and about Nazi Germany would be a horribly sad story, but you would be wrong. The hope, trust, friendship, love and faith in humanity outshine all of the horrible, inexcusable actions and intentions of this time.

This book is a MUST read.