I love it when a book can make me change my mind. Most of the time, my mind's made up after the first 50-100 pages. Of course the ending can make or break a book, but it's rare when my opinion is changed as much as it was in this book.
The Book Thief is set in World War II Germany (though it has very little war in it, the war touches everything in it). The book thief herself, Liesel, is a young girl shipped off to live with a foster family where she learns to read and to steal books. Throughout the book we see how she processes and copes with the love and loss she encounters.
What I found strange about the book (and felt like it was just a gimmick, until the end) was that it was narrated by Death, who meets Liesel on several occasions.
But really, I enjoyed it. It's a very vividly-told tale, and is not trite as stories set during World War II can be.
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Wow I am impressed you could stay with a book that long to have you feelings changed. I can't always do that!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little over half way through with this one (after starting it and not getting past the introduction a couple years ago).
ReplyDeleteThis one is on my radar but I have not taken the plunge. I am a little wary because of the topic. Good review. :)
ReplyDeleteI read this book this year as well and LOVED it because of the way it was written and the very different perspective.
ReplyDeleteI tell people that this is one of my two favorite fiction books set in WWII-- the other is Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five. I love that it isn't trite, as you said, but I also felt very deeply for the characters while not feeling as if Zusak tried too hard to make me care.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed reading it. Did you cry? Cause I did... buckets load, when I read this book. :P
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