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The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
The Book Thief
by: (author)
4.67 30
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak was the best-selling debut literary novel of the year 2007, selling over 400,000 copies. The author is a prize-winning writer of children's books, and this, his first novel for adults, proved to be a triumphant success. The book is extraordinary on many levels:... show more
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak was the best-selling debut literary novel of the year 2007, selling over 400,000 copies. The author is a prize-winning writer of children's books, and this, his first novel for adults, proved to be a triumphant success. The book is extraordinary on many levels: moving, yet restrained, angry yet balanced -- and written with the kind of elegance found all too rarely in fiction these days. The book's narrator is nothing less than Death itself, regaling us with a remarkable tale of book burnings, treachery and theft. The book never forgets the primary purpose of compelling the reader's attention, yet which nevertheless is able to impart a cogent message about the importance of words, particularly in those societies which regard the word as dangerous (the book is set during the Nazi regime, but this message is all too relevant in many places in the world today).Nine-year-old Liesel lives with her foster family on Himmel Street during the dark days of the Third Reich. Her Communist parents have been transported to a concentration camp, and during the funeral for her brother, she manages to steal a macabre book: it is, in fact, a gravediggers’ instruction manual. This is the first of many books which will pass through her hands as the carnage of the Second World War begins to hungrily claim lives. Both Liesel and her fellow inhabitants of Himmel Street will find themselves changed by both words on the printed page and the horrendous events happening around them.Despite its grim narrator, The Book Thief is, in fact, a life-affirming book, celebrating the power of words and their ability to provide sustenance to the soul. Interestingly, the Second World War setting of the novel does not limit its relevance: in the 20th century, totalitarian censorship throughout the world is as keen as ever at suppressing books (notably in countries where the suppression of human beings is also par for the course) and that other assault on words represented by the increasing dumbing-down of Western society as cheap celebrity replaces the appeal of books for many people, ensures that the message of Marcus Zusak’s book could not be more timely. It is, in fact, required reading -- or should be in any civilised country. --Barry Forshaw
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Format: hardcover
ISBN: 9780385611466 (0385611463)
Publisher: Doubleday
Pages no: 584
Edition language: English
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Community Reviews
Booka
Booka rated it
3.5 Złodziejka książek
Ileż to już czasu minęło od chwili, kiedy zapragnęłam przeczytać tę książkę... Ileż czasu od chwili, gdy dostała się w moje ręce... Można to już liczyć w latach! W końcu "Złodziejka książek" doczekała się tego momentu. To kolejny już tytuł, który czytam w ramach Klubu Książki American Club Corner. I...
runner
runner rated it
4.0 When Death comes calling......
What makes this story unique and a novel enjoyed by both young and old is due primarily to two outstanding elements. First, is the use of "Death" as the narrator; Death is devoid of all emotion and his role is simple that of an impartial observer and the story teller of events as they unfold. He re...
Graciem
Graciem rated it
This is my absolute favorite book! I have read a lot of Holocaust novels, but this one really sticks out. The characters are very complex. This book also has an extremely unique and thought-provoking element (if you have read it,you know what I mean.)
Url Phantomhive
Url Phantomhive rated it
5.0 The Book Thief
I didn't even bring this book home for myself. It is the strange way that my story with what arguably has become my favourite book begins. I didn't bring it for myself, but still, being me I couldn't resist picking it up and reading a little bit. Only for then, I had to say, sorry, I'm keeping it fo...
"So it goes."
"So it goes." rated it
5.0 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak: My convoluted thoughts quickly typed
Nobody needs a review from me of a book that's been around forever, but I was so affected by this one that I feel a need to at least commemorate that much. I read it a few weeks ago, and the characters are still with me. I'm still affected by this book, and I'm sure I will be for a very long time. ...
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