The Book Thief

The gimmick got in the way: there's just something goofy, jarring, about personifying Death. (Unless you're [a:Neil Gaiman 1221698 Neil Gaiman http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg] or [a:Terry Pratchett 1654 Terry Pratchett http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1235562205p2/1654.jpg]). Even so ... it worked. Wonderfully.The narrator's voice is by no means detached or aloof. It's actually quite warm. Forget the Death thing, let yourself be drawn into the characters' lives. This is a tale of kindnesses, big and little, amid horror and despair.

Pete Postlethwaite died today. His death saddened me for a number of reasons, not the least of which being he was a tremendous actor. Most relevant in this case, as I read The Book Thief, I marveled at what a well constructed character Leisel's foster father was and how perfectly Pete would have played him on screen. That being said, this might be a book better left to the imagination, for it's utterly sad and absolutely worth reading. Highly recommended.

A good book. I listened to it and I had a tendency to fall asleep while listening.

I started the book with high expectations. I had heard only good things about the book, and the opening chapter read like an Easy Reader Kurt Vonnegut. I love Kurt Vonnegut, so I anticipated enjoying some Vonnegut-lite. In spite of its enjoyable style, The Book Thief is unfortunately overambitious.

The novel tries to deal with a variety of themes: growing up, family, death (who narrates the book), the joy/power of books/learning, WWII, Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, the psyche of the German people during WWII, the list could go on and on. Although it's admirable to attempt such a broad portrayal, The Book Thief never really manages to tie everything together. It's a good book, but one that tries to be much more than it actually is.

I started the book with high expectations. I had heard only good things about the book, and the opening chapter read like an Easy Reader Kurt Vonnegut. I love Kurt Vonnegut, so I anticipated enjoying some Vonnegut-lite. In spite of its enjoyable style, The Book Thief is unfortunately overambitious.

The novel tries to deal with a variety of themes: growing up, family, death (who narrates the book), the joy/power of books/learning, WWII, Nazi Germany, the Holocaust, the psyche of the German people during WWII, the list could go on and on. Although it's admirable to attempt such a broad portrayal, The Book Thief never really manages to tie everything together. It's a good book, but one that tries to be much more than it actually is.

I wasn't expecting this book to be as powerful as it is. It's a book of intrigue and history and emotion. Death makes an incredible, sentient narrator for this book. If this is what YA literature is like these days, I'm astounded and enthralled. I highly, highly recommend this book.

This book totally captivated me. And, like most others, made me cry. And not the kind of crying with quiet little tears.

I really enjoyed this book. The narrative style is very unique and the characters are great, which is good since the plot is sort of standard Holocaust fare.

Beautiful story. Now it's one of my newest recommend to everyone books. Liked Death as a narrator. Most of the time he wasn't for or against. He just was. But there were small moments - Rudy, Liesel's writing, etc - where he had moments of humanity.

This is a very, very good book! Its greatest achievement is its ability to make you feel compassion for those you may not think of that way (Death and Nazis primarily).

I liked the narrative style of this book. But I found it hard to connect with the characters, and I felt that it moved too slowly. A good discussion book for teens I would imagine.

This was a beautifully written, thought provoking book about words, friendship, hope and love despite fear and uncertainty. I especially liked the interactions between Liesel and the people around her. I also liked Death as a narrator who sees both the good and bad in humans.

WOW WOW WOW, I really don't know what else to say?! This book is simply one of the best books I have ever read. The author is almost melodic in his writing and the use of Death as a narrator was just brilliant. I lost track of how often my eyes welled up with tears. I will definitely be on the look out for more from this author!

wow. i was not expecting this book to be so well done.

Favourite book of all!! Love it

I love this book. Such a powerful story about a period in history that is widely known. However, this novel explores the perspective of a German family apposed to Hitler's political views and the consequences that they face. The innocence of childhood, love, death and humanity all shine through in this beautifully written book. I could not put it down and shed a few tears throughout the story, especially at the end. This is a book to treasure, to pass on to others and to be re-read over and over again. I highly recommend this book.

Beautiful. I almost cried at the ending, It wa s really sad. But you should read it.

Narrated by Death, this book tells the story of foster child Liesel Meminger, who lives in the suburbs of Munich, Germany during World War II. Liesel was(and still partly is) a poor and unschooled kid, but with the help of her adopted Papa and a book called The Grave Digger's Handbook she learns not just to read, but also to write. You may wonder how she acquired this book here's how: She simply picked it off from the ground at her little brother's funeral. And that's not the only book she steals. No, there are many more. Simply, this is the story of Liesel's life and many others. But people are never simple, there's always more to something. Even to a measly book thief.