Today I'll be writing about the heart warming and heart wrenching book; The Book Thief.
This book is a story of loss, love, childhood, war and so much more.
The novel is based around a girl called Liesel Meminger. At age 9 she is given away for adoption because her mother can't afford to keep her and her brother alive in the poverty which they live in.
Set in Nazi Germany, Hans and Rosa Hubermann take in the skinny, scared girl and teach her about life. Hans is a man with silvery eyes and a love for the accordion and rolling cigarettes. He is the first person to be kind to Liesel at her new home, 33 Himmel Street. Hans understands Liesel and is a man with many hidden qualities.
Rosa Hubermann is a stern woman who underneath all the insults she throws at her foster daughter, loves her dearly. Rosa is a determined woman who will do everything she can to keep her family alive.
Both characters create a great contrast yet 'yin and yang' relationship. What i mean by this is that although the two adults personalities are very different they work very well together and certainly create a great plot for the book. In addition, i think the saying 'opposites attract' applies here.
Narrated by Death, the novel follows Liesel through the ages of about 9 - 14.
Her life changes dramatically when she finds a book beside her younger brothers graveside. It's the start of Liesels journey in book thievery!
The ever growing and mysterious girl steals books from the mayors wife's library, the Nazi book burnings and is even give a few by the Jew hidden in her foster families basement.
The Book Thief's main plot points are when the book thief steals her next book, or rather is given one.
However, there is more to this novel than a young girl stealing some books. As it is set in Nazi Germany, of course there will be something to hide.
I don't want to give too much away as I do seriously recommend anybody to read this beautiful book.
The 581 page long book is full of gripping plot. Sometimes told in monologue and others simply told straight from Liesel's hand written biography by Death.
There are 10 parts to this book along with an epilogue; the parts are more like long chapter split up into lots of little chapters. Along the way Death points out little extra bits of information, hints and opinions.
Here is one of these:
I have fallen in love with this book, its characters and its amazing ability to leave me mesmerised about a life in the past and an amazing journey through every emotion possible.
This book is told in depth yet simplistically. It is breathtaking to watch Liesel's world open up and close down.
I seriously recommend anybody read this wonderful novel.
Bye for now!
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