The+Book+Theif

= Steal this Book   John Vaughen  =

550 pages. Random House Inc. $16.95 (Amazon)
== Liesel Meminger has a special place in Death’s heart. Death, the unusual narrator of Zusak’s finely crafted novel, only sees Liesel three times in his immortal life but the power and tragedy of her tale is enough for him to read it over and over again. //The Book Thief// shares Liesel’s story while Death narrates, throwing in comments on the flaws of humans, although he does acknowledge that “Humans, if nothing else, have the good sense to die.” The narrator’s opinions range from wily to sarcastic, insightful to sympathetic, foreboding to content, each time reflecting Zusak’s own ideas concerning the problems of the past and present world. == == Liesel is growing up in Nazi Germany during World War II under the care of foster parents, the Hubberman’s. She and her family are forced to deal with the problems that Zusak accurately portrays during Germany at the time: a struggling economy, the bombing of German towns, and the persecution of the Jews. As Liesel continues to grow in this coming-of-age novel she will have to choose between what is easy and what is ethically right. ==

== Zusak’s writing has a certain flow to it that captivates readers, and for //The Book Theif// that is essential. Death, in his usual forthright and blunt manner, gives away the ending of the book right from the get-go, yet Zusak effectively draws readers into the character’s lives and situations so the troubles to come are almost forgotten. ==  The use of Death as the narrator also helps Zusak because it gives the book a style and point of view that is practically unique. How many people have thought “What would Death say or do in this situation?” Death is given a very opinionated and strong voice throughout the whole novel. “First the colors. Then the humans. That’s usually how I see things. Or at least, how I try. Here is a small fact: You are going to die. I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about this whole topic… Please, trust me. I most definitely can be cheerful. I can be amiable. Agreeable. Affable. And that’s only the A’s. Just don’t ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.” The portrayal of characters, both physically and mentally, is very vivid. The first two major characters that readers are introduced to are Liesel’s new parents. Hans, Liesel’s father, is a kind, smoking painter who loves to play the accordion and whose past will put his family in grave danger. Rosa is a squat woman with a tongue and vocabulary capable of verbally lashing anyone within her sight. While both of them love Liesel a special bond begins to form between Liesel and Hans, who is always there for Liesel after her ritual nightmare of her dead brother. As time passes, Liesel gets accustomed to her new life; she makes friends, goes to school, and becomes an avid reader and writer. In short, life for Leisel and others is beginning to settle into a wonderful routine. But Death is quick to point out that the happiness could not and would not last. The Nazi’s persecution of the Jews and their burning of books have a strong affect on Liesel. She has an epiphany and realizes that it is Hitler and his policies that are to blame for many of her current and past problems. Germany is suddenly not that wonderful of a place to live in, and Liesel sees oppression everywhere. In this classic coming of age novel Zusak weaves a beautiful picture of World War II Germany**//.//** Life-like characters and scenarios rapidly unfold and draw readers into the book. If one does not like copious amounts of foreshadowing then //The Book Thief// is not recommended, but if one doesn’t mind then this is a wonderful novel that will leave reader’s full of conflicting emotions: sorrow and joy, fulfillment and emptiness, hope and desperation, and an overall feeling of wonderment at how the human race can rise so high and stoop so low.