Books : The Book Thief

Rating: - A Good Read but ultimately unsatisfying
At first I found this book irritating as I got used to the unusual narrative style and the page layout. However after about 50 pages or so you are drwn into the world of Liesel (The book Thief) and her surrogate family and friends. The book runs to over 500 pages and I read it in a little under 2 days so that gives an idea of how engrossing it is.
However throughout the book I felt I was being emotionally manipulated by some clever narrative tricks and at the end I think the feeling was justified. The context of the novel is of course one of the great tragedies of our time and one of great inhumanity, however I felt the author was deliberately playing on the readers emotions and trying too hard to elicit an emotional response, in fact to elicit a tearful response. Having said that there is great skill in keeping adults engrossed in a story about a childs life, conversations and interactions.

---

Rating: - If you think this isn't your type of read, you might just be wrong!
I always find the customer reviews on here invaluable when choosing a book that is different and outside my usual choice of genres.

But despite having read everyone's positive observations on The Book Thief, I purchased it with the slightly cynical view that the synopsis referring to Nazi Germany and all that entails, Death the narrator, a basement imprisonment, and a young girl's coming of age could not possibly evoke a mixture of emotions from humour, through anger, to tear-brimming sadness.

I finished the last few chapters in one sitting at a time of day and week when I wouldn't normally have a book in hand as I just couldn't wait for the next `usual' sitting.

I don't shed tears over fictional novels. I did at the end of this one.

If you're like me, and usually look for a fast, page-turning thriller or laugh out loud humorous novel, give yourself a treat and read this book - like me, you might feel compelled to write your first review in the hope that other people will experience the same emotions and get the same pleasure from something penned by someone so obviously gifted in the art of storytelling.

---

Rating: - Absolutely excellent
This was one of those titles which keeps me reading not only in the tube on the way to work but also as I walk along the platform and up the escalator. There is always a risk of bumping into other commuters but I managed to avoid it. It was an unusual way to present the WW2 events but it worked and I was moved by how it finished. I really liked the books and reading theme which ran throughout.

---

Rating: - FANTASTIC READ
When I first read the synopsis I thought it was going to be very depressing - but how I was wrong. A very moving and worthwhile read and as they say don't judge the book by the cover!!

---

Rating: - I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book!
I have just finished this book, reading the last 100 pages in one evening, unable to put it down, and yet not wanting to finish. I now feel like I've lost a friend. I can't recommend it highly enough.

The intricate relationships, the narration, the story... every part of this book thrilled me. I read paragraph after paragraph out loud to my husband, because it was too good not to share! I almost feel compelled to insist that everyone I know read it - because I want to share my enjoyment.

Nazi Germany. Liesel, her foster parents, her best friend Rudy, and Max - a Jewish man hiding in their basement - are attempting to survive the bombs, understand the hatred, and [for Liesel and Rudy] - cope with adolesence.

I guess I should mention that this novel is narrated by Death. A little strange, yes, but once you've read a few chapters, you'll soon realise that it's actually a fabulous idea. Bravo, Markus Zusak.

Buy it. Read it. Keep it - because you'll definitely want to read it again.