I started the book on my ride back from Prague. I found this quirky book after looking up the last years (or two years ago, maybe three) top books. This stumbled right into my palms, and I ordered it straight away. Now, it’s not my usual book, which may, possibly, be an explanation for why it’s not highly rated.

The story was sweet. It’s about a girl, in Nazi Germany. She’s moved to an ordinary family and has to live with them through the war. It’s a love story, kind of not, told through the perspective of Death. Death is a funny guy, in this case, he adds humour to an otherwise horrific period. We learn so much about what Nazi Germany was like and how people survived the war. We learn what it’s like to be a German (and a Jew) during the war.

Why, then, is the story rated only three stars? While I applaud Zusak for his new style of the book, I found it, at times unclear and hard to read. I was warned beforehand that the style is not usual for a book. Death is funny, but I also felt he took away from the story at times. I almost didn’t feel the story was about Liesel, but about Death and how he sometimes doesn’t like his job. He interrupted the flow a bit too much for me.

All in all, the book is a fun read and I would recommend it, just for something different.

The Book Thief has been reviewed many times over. I bet everything that could be said about it, already has been. But... as a Jew, reading this book, I feel obligated to add in my two cents. So bear with me. This is going to be a very personal review. In fact, it's going to speak largely about things surrounding the book instead of the book itself.