Book Response #5
Black. White. Red.
“’Look at the colors,” Papa said. It’s hard to notice a man that not only notices the colors, but speaks them.” (Pg. 87)
Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief is about more than just a story, but about words and colors and death. Well, actually, Death is the narrator for much of the book. This interesting perspective makes for a very enjoyable read. In Nazi Germany circa World War II, little Liesel Meminger is going through some major changes: foster parents, The Grave Digger’s Handbook, new friends, and life lessons. This book is written from a different point of view and so it provides such a wonderful insight.
I had read this book before, my freshman year of college to be exact; because my aunt told me it was one of her new favorites (which is a total honor for any book to be put up there because she reads a lot and is very picky). Anyways, I figured I would like it because I have a thing for World War II books and have read a good number of them before – both adult and young adult. Once I picked it up and started reading, I was mesmerized – and this time was no different!
Liesel is a huge fan of here books – both ones stolen or given freely. After a rough deal from the cards of life: she ends up away from her mother, her brother is dead, and she wakes every night with horrible nightmares, but there is good in her life too. A new friend who thinks he is Jesse Owens, a loving Papa who cradles her when she awakes at two in the morning, and the newfound knowledge of literacy! The books twists and turns, full of action, but not overbearing with suspense – it is a perfect mix and a delightful read!
Liesel is a character that everyone could, in some form, relate to. She is brilliant and caring, but not always a soft and gentle girl – she’s got spunk, and what girl doesn’t want some spunk?! Rudy might be in bad circumstances since he has such a big family at such a poor economy time for Germany, but his character’s personality fits right into what you would expect of any boy that age – a hundred years ago or now. Max is a hidden Jew whose father saved Liesel’s Papa during the First World War – he is a street fighter and a loyal friend.
Though the main protagonist is a girl, boys would enjoy this book because of Rudy, Max, Papa, and the fact that Death is doing all the talking. Plus, there is thievery, fighting, fire, soccer, racing, and battles. What boy wouldn’t want to read about all that?
“It kills me sometimes, how people die.” (Pg. 464)
People dying do make up a fairly large majority of the book. That is to say, that many of the main characters end up dead, but their lives are stained with love and friendship – these are the colors that Death is haunted by (he admits this on the last page how effected he is by all the souls he carried limply away).
This book would probably only get used to its full capacity if it was taught in an upper level class – 7th or 8th grade, maybe even honors. There are just so many wonderful things in this book! You have the different perspective of narrator, the precisely unique language used that describes everything, the symbolism, and solid historical content – it could serve as a mentor text in so many ways.
All in all, I love this book! I love how it is full of words about words – it is so metapoetic and I absolutely adore it! Death is so eloquent with his words, Liesel is so heartbreaking with her story, and all the relationships are beautiful and refreshing. I loved reading The Book Thief the firs time, I loved reading it this time, and I would love to teach it in the future!
“I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right” (Pg. 528).
Zusak, M. (2006). The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
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