The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Publisher: Random House, 2007
Pages: 576
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that will be in movie theaters on November 15, 2013, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who 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.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

Review: I nearly gave up on this book two or three times, but I picked it up after letting it rest for at least two weeks thinking I would give it one more shot. I was on page 125. On page 180 the story took off. 

I've read some criticism that readers didn't like that the narrator, Death, foreshadowed events. I didn't mind that so much; it kept me interested to find out how the events unfolded. On the other hand, some readers rave about this novel, but I'm not in that camp either. I'm disappointed that the author didn't edit or find a way to make the book interesting before page 180.

All in all though, I'm glad I hung in there. It was a worthwhile read.