Fiction Friday: The Book Thief
It’s not often I read a book that gets five stars out of me, but such is the case with this fantastic novel about the importance of words by Markus Zusak.
Although technically a YA novel, written for children ages 12 and up, The Book Thief resonates on so many levels that it should be enjoyed by adults of all ages.
The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl living with her foster parents in a small town in 1939 Nazi Germany. More accurately, the story is told by Death, who has a rather empathetic view of the human race and who is understandably overworked during this period in history. Yet he finds himself inevitably drawn into the lives of those who inhabit Liesel’s world.
As are we.
I’m not going to tell you the synopsis of the novel. You can read the synopsis on Wikipedia or Amazon. What I will tell you is that the novel is dark and touching, filled with both dread and hope. It’s filled with characters who remain long after the last page has been turned. And it’s filled with prose that is lyrical and eloquent, with fabulous imagery that you want to breath in and savor.
Breath collapses. Words lean. Sentences fumble.
It’s the type of book that reminds you of the beauty of words. The power of words. And that, in essence, is what The Book Thief is about. The power of words to transform the world, both for good and for bad.
Someone once asked me what book would I recommend to everyone. I used to have an answer. That answer has changed. That book is now The Book Thief.
Good to know. I’ve had a lot of people recommend it and have picked it up a couple times in the bookstore, but have yet to make it mine. I suppose I’ll add it to the ol’ TBR pile.
Comment by Melanie — April 17, 2011 @ 3:06 pm