Customer Reviews
Disappointing 
2008-05-09
If you are looking for an easy read that doesnt require too much thought then this is the book for you. I had read rave review after rave review and found myself very disappointed with the actual book. My problems can be summed up in a couple of points:
1) The characters are all one dimensional. You will know who the good guy is because he will hate Hitler and the Nazis. You will know who the bad guy is because he will be a spit drenched facist. At one point a character gives out about the main character and says that she should be reading Mein Kampf. See now we know to file him under "baddies". There were just too many broad strokes.
2) I hated the writing style. I mean at the start it was a bit of a novelty. Death popping up to point out the important phrases or to tell us that a certain character would have a sticky end in a few months time. This happened so often that I lost track of all the things I had been forewarned about. Most of it was done for shock value. One character's fate in particular was dropped in solely to provoke gasps. But when that character met their fate it didnt live up to what we had been warned about. Sorry for all the vagueness but I really don't want to spoil it for those who havent already read it.
3) It was way too heavy handed. At one point a German does something that paints them in a good light. The following two sentances are:
"Was this Germany? Nazi Germany?"
Why not hand me the sledgehammer so I can hit myself over the head with it instead.
All in all I give it two stars, because as a children's book it is very simple with a nice story about people we like doing nice things. But as an adult piece of fiction it was just way too clunky for me.
Australians! 
2008-05-08
Lately I'm getting to know Australian writers. And oh boy, do they write! Like this astounding book "The Book Thief" which I finished just this morning. The plot has been exhaustively described already, all I would like to add is: don't pass this one over; it enriches you!
Markus, please don't stop.
"A heartbreaking work of staggering genius" 2008-05-04
That phrase is a cliche but in this case, it truly fits. This is a fantastic book, beautifully written and deeply moving.
I can see how some people might find it slow. I usually prefer fast-paced books but the metaphors and language in this were so wonderfully done, I didn't mind. The character development is excellent...very well-rounded characters, very detailed. By the end of the book, I didn't want to let go of them.
The book is emotional, I have to say. I used up more than one kleenex on it.
Bravo to the author. I loved it.
Slooooooooooooow! 
2008-05-01
I got to page 267 after two months. I am usually a fast reader, but this made me fall asleep every time I started reading. Good story, but boring! I would compare it to "running in sand!" One does advance, but with tremendous effort.
Too bad, I usually like stories from WWII.
Insight into German life during WWII 2008-04-29
Book was written by Death, an interesting perspective. The main character, the Book Thief, was a young girl, near Munich, Germany. WWII was viewed by the poor, a young Jewish man,a young girl, her foster parents and neighbors. It portrayed the struggles and the strengths of individuals.
Very uplifting.
Do not waste your money! 2008-04-27
It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
From the Hardcover edition.
can someone translate, please? 2008-04-23
this book was so confusing, and hard to understand. i do not recommend this book to anyone!!!
unless you want to spend forever trying to figure out what certain phrases mean.
A book for keeping 2008-04-21
I thought I was going to hate this book. If my book club hadn't selected it that particular month, I would never have picked it up. Despite my doubts, I checked it out of my local library and gave it a go.
The first pages were difficult because I was so put off by the strange premise of having the events narrated by Death, and by the unusual phrasing and word choices. But somewhere along the way I got sucked into the story. I began to realize that the phrasing and word choices were brilliant, arresting, moving. By the end of the book, I realized this story had to be told by Death, that this was part of its power. Death was the constant outsider, "haunted by humans," a witness of every kind of depravity and nobility. By the end of the book, I knew it was one of the finest I had ever read. Months and months later, I am still moved to tears when I think of some of the characters and the things Death said about them.
I agree with those who are mystified at this being classified as YA. Not that young adults wouldn't understand or enjoy this book, but that it's fully complex, original, and polished enough to stand with the best "literary" books out there.
I feel a re-read coming on. Maybe this time I'll buy my own copy so it'll be there when I need it.
Listen to the audio book 2008-04-21
Allan Corduner does a masterful job of reading The Book Thief. His voices for Hans, Rosa, Max and Death are especially wonderful. Whether you are a fan of this book or have yet to read it, listening to it is a treat (especially if you don't speak German and aren't sure how to say the names and phrases).
THIS story will feed your soul.... 2008-04-19
To say that Markus Zusak is a brilliant 32 year old up and coming author would be the understatement of all understatements! Talk about an "unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul"!! He presented this story from the eyes of 'death himself' and told us about the extremes in human behavior as never been told before. I stayed up all night to finish this book and cannot stop thinking about it. It definitely rates as one of the best books I've ever read! Bravo, Mr. Zusak!!
