The Book Thief
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zusak, Markus. 2007. The Book Thief. New York, NY: Knopf. ISBN 978-0375842207
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Narrated by the character of Death, The Book Thief shares the story of Liesel, a young girl living in Germany during the reign of Hitler. After the death of her brother, she begins to steal books. The book is the poignant telling of the life of Liesel and the people in her life.
Liesel's foster father utilizes the stolen books to teach her how to read. While sometimes the titles are less than estimable, he understands that the novels are good diversions from the Germany bombings that occur regularly as a result of the war. The stolen books also allow Liesel to connect with Max, a Jew hiding in their home.
Death is critically aware of his role in the war, and throughout human history, and his thoughts are shared liberally throughout the novel.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Award-winning author Markus Zusak manages to convincingly utilize Death as the narrator in this incredible novel. The obvious guilt that Death feels in his participation of the annihilation of an entire culture is evident throughout the novel.
Many books have focused on the plight of the Jews in Hitler's Germany in World War II. While this book does not ignore their history, the storyline centers around the Nazi soldiers and their role. They are uncharacteristically written and demonstrate a different viewpoint that readers may not be accustomed. For the most part, the conditions of war-torn Germany are accurately reflected and are consistent with other novels and historical records of the era.
The use of Death as the narrator can not be overlooked as an integral part of the story. While it is possible that the story could be told without this element, it adds a level of balance. There are several places in the book that Death seems to regret his role, and alludes to his necessary presence due to humans' ongoing, deplorable behavior.
The foreshadowing done by Death may help the confused, or younger, reader understand the timbre of the story, but at times it seems as if the foreshadowing gives away too much of the future storyline. The ending, while certainly not unexpected, is heartbreaking and may be better suited for older, more mature readers.
Overall, The Book Thief is an exceptional novel, but is best suited for readers over the age of 16. While the subject matter is historically accurate and prompts the reader to analyze the treatment of the Jews in Nazi Germany, Zusak's approach and jumping from time period to time period can sometimes confuse the reader. However, this approach lends to the depth of the book and should not discourage the reading of this remarkable book.
Overall, The Book Thief is an exceptional novel, but is best suited for readers over the age of 16. While the subject matter is historically accurate and prompts the reader to analyze the treatment of the Jews in Nazi Germany, Zusak's approach and jumping from time period to time period can sometimes confuse the reader. However, this approach lends to the depth of the book and should not discourage the reading of this remarkable book.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
Review from Booklist: "...the astonishing characters, drawn without sentimentality, will grab readers..."
Underdogs. ISBN
Getting the Girl. ISBN 978-0439389501
*Other books that include death as a character or main theme
McNeal, Tom. Far, Far Away. ISBN 978-0375849725
Gaiman, Neal. The Graveyard Book. ISBN 978-0060530945
- School Library Journal Best Books of the Year - Won 2006
- Garden State Teen Book Award - Won 2009
- Young Readers Choice Award - Nominated 2009
- Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book - Won 2006
- Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year - Won 2006
- Virginia Reader's Choice Awards - Nominated 2007
- Great Lakes Great Book Awards - Nominated 2007
- Galaxy British Awards - Nominated 2008
- Book Sense Book of the Year - Won 2007
- National Jewish Book Awards - Won 2006
- Printz Award - Nominated 2007
- Quill Awards - Nominated 2006
- Kathleen Mitchell Award - Won 2006
Starred Review from School Library Journal: "Death is not a sentimental storyteller, but he does attend to an array of satisfying details, giving Liesels story all the nuances of chance, folly, and fulfilled expectation that it deserves. An extraordinary narrative."
Starred review from Publisher's Weekly: "It's a measure of how successfully Zusak has humanized these characters that even though we know they are doomed, it's no less devastating when Death finally reaches them."
Starred review from Kirkus: "This big, expansive novel is a leisurely working out of fate, of seemingly chance encounters and events that ultimately touch, like dominoes as they collide. The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving."
Review from Booklist: "...the astonishing characters, drawn without sentimentality, will grab readers..."
Review from the New York Times: "...perched on the cusp between grown-up and young-adult fiction, and it is loaded with librarian appeal. It deplores human misery. It celebrates the power of language. It may encourage adolescents to read. It has an element of the fanciful. And it's a book that bestows a self-congratulatory glow upon anyone willing to grapple with it."
5. CONNECTIONS
*Other books by Markus Zusak
I am the Messenger. ISBN Underdogs. ISBN
Getting the Girl. ISBN 978-0439389501
*Other books that include death as a character or main theme
McNeal, Tom. Far, Far Away. ISBN 978-0375849725
Gaiman, Neal. The Graveyard Book. ISBN 978-0060530945